AUGUST 20258INDIA AND UAE SIGN MOU TO BOOST MARITIME AND DEFENCE COOPERATIONBHARAT FORGE TO LAUNCH ADVANCED AEROSPACE RING MILL BY 2026India and the UAE reaffirmed their intent to increase defence cooperation even more during the 13th India-UAE Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) session held at the Secretary level for the first time in New Delhi.The conference was co-chaired by Defence Secretary of India Rajesh Kumar Singh and UAE's Under Secretary of Defence Lt General Ibrahim Nasser M Al Alawi, who is heading a high-level delegation on a two-day official visit.Bharat Forge has revealed a substantial development in the aerospace manufacturing ambition of India by planning to introduce a modern aerospace ringmill by 2026.The advanced hub will be established at the company headquarters in Pune and will focus on reinforcing India as a part of the global aerospace supply chain. The new ring mill facility in the aerospace industry will be specialized in producing precision forged parts, specializing in aero-engine parts.Both nations were content with the developments in bilateral defence cooperation and agreed to facilitate greater cooperation on military training, maritime security, joint manufacturing, and the development of advanced technology. India also proposed offering tailored training courses commensurate with the UAE Armed Forces' specific needs.One of the highlights of the meeting was that the UAE National Guard and the Indian Coast Guard agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve maritime security. The MoU has provisions for cooperation in search and rescue efforts, anti-piracy operations, and response to marine pollution.Negotiations also revolved around defence industry cooperation, with the ICOMM-CARACAL collaboration on small arms production named as a success story. The two nations are also examining collaborative development of new defence technologies such as artificial intelligence, shipbuilding, and platform refurbishment.Before JDCC, there were staff-level talks between the three services on both sides with a focus on training and exchange of specialists. The UAE delegation also takes part in the 2nd India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership Forum, further cementing once again the strategic defence cooperation firmed up through the 2015 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The facility is designed to fulfill stringent quality and traceability requirement of the global aerospace industry and is another big step in the development of advanced manufacturing capability of Bharat Forge.Another agreement signed by Bharat Forge is a long-term supply agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada, one of the major aircraft engine manufacturing companies of the world. This is a tactical partnership that shows the amount of confidence international aerospace giants are putting in Indian manufacturing with an intention of seeking diversification of suppliers.The aerospace ring mill is anticipated to be instrumental in promotion of indigenous manufacturing under its "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" missions by the government. Once they are active, it will improve the export opportunities of the country as well as cut the reliance on foreign aerospace parts.As the aerospace industry experiences faster growth in the global market, the facility will not only establish Bharat Forge as a strategic supplier of precision forged products to airlines, and an original equipment manufacturer in the aerospace industry but will also make India a central node in high value aerospace production. Part of the strategy has been the long-term vision at Bharat Forge to expand its presence, through innovation, quality and strategic global collaborations in the aerospace industry. TOP STORIESTOP STORIESTOP STORIES
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