Latest news with #DefenseCooperation
Russia Today
26-06-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
India is an ‘exceptionally important' partner
Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has stressed the importance of the Russia-India partnership, noting that Moscow's long-term friendship with New Delhi extends into the military-technical sector. Belousov held talks with his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Qingdao, China on Thursday. 'India is an exceptionally important strategic partner for us, a traditional friend – including in the military and military-technical spheres,' Belousov said at the meeting. Singh stated: 'We had insightful deliberations on boosting India-Russia defense ties.' India's military currently relies heavily on Russian-origin equipment, with around 60% of its arsenal being of Russian make. During the recent conflict with Pakistan, the effectiveness of India's air defenses was bolstered by the Russian-made S-400 mobile surface-to-air missile systems, which was recently highlighted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised its performance during the standoff. New Delhi, however, has been pushing to indigenize its defense sector, under the 'Make in India' initiative led by Modi. Russian defense companies have taken part in a number of joint ventures in India over the last two decades. BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles are manufactured by India's Defense Research and Development Organization and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, and have been in service in the Indian Armed Forces since June 2007. Last month, India inaugurated a new production unit for the BrahMos missile in Uttar Pradesh. According to Defense Ministry officials, this facility will enable India to boost its defense stockpiles, which is crucial given the current volatile security environment. Happy to have met the Defence Minister of Russia, Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao. We had insightful deliberations on boosting India-Russia defence ties. New Delhi's long-standing defense ties with Moscow have irked Washington. Earlier this month, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said India's relations with Russia are a point of contention in its relationship with the US, especially with the increasing sanctions on Russian entities. During the meeting on Thursday with Singh in Qingdao, Belousov expressed his condolences over the recent crash of an Air India aircraft, which killed 270 people. The Russian defense minister conveyed words of sympathy and support to the families and loved ones of the victims.
Associated Press
10-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Japanese frigate arrives in Australia as Tokyo bids for defense deal
NEWCASTLE, Australia (AP) — A state-of-the-art Japanese warship has arrived in Australia as part of a high-stakes campaign to secure a $6.5 billion contract to build the country's next fleet of general-purpose frigates. The JS Yahagi, a Mogami-class stealth frigate from Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, is docked in Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory in what appears a symbolic and strategic move aimed at strengthening defense ties with Australia and showcasing Japanese naval technology. Japan's bid, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, was short-listed in November for the Royal Australian Navy's SEA 3000 frigate project and is competing against Germany's MEKO A-200 offered by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The Australian Government is expected to select a preferred design later this year, with construction for 11 new vessels slated to begin the following year. Japan would jointly develop and produce the frigates for the Australian navy. Bolstering defense industry As part of its military buildup, Japan is pushing to strengthen its largely domestic defense industry by participating in joint development, including a next-generation fighter jet with Britain and Italy, and promoting foreign sales like the Mogami-class ships. In a sign of its commitment and heavy investment Japan has pledged to prioritize the RAN's order over its own naval procurement. The project not only serves to further deepen cooperation between Japan and Australia but also to enhance Japan's warship capabilities, Defense Minister General Nakatani has said. The Japanese Mogami-class design boasts advanced combat systems, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare capabilities, and mine countermeasure operations — all operated by a lean crew of around 90, helping to address ongoing recruitment challenges in the Australian Navy. The vessel's commanding officer, Tamura Masayoshi, said the ship's smaller crew was an aim of the Mogami-class ship. 'The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force thought we need stealth, and less people, and a little bit smaller ship,' Masayoshi told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Closer military ties The JS Yahagi's visit to Darwin comes amid intensifying strategic cooperation between Canberra and Tokyo, both of which have emphasized the importance of maritime safety and security of sea lanes. The frigate's arrival is also seen as a gesture of Japan's growing role in regional security and its desire to align more closely with key partners like Australia. In September 2024, Australia and Japan agreed to increase joint military training exercises to address shared concerns of China's incursions into Japanese airspace and territorial waters. Two months later, defense ministers from Australia, Japan and the U.S. held tripartite talks in Darwin to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening security ties and planning for joint military operations in northern Australia. Japanese marine units are also now included in annual training rotations of U.S. Marines in Darwin. —— Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed.
Asharq Al-Awsat
28-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Defense Minister, UK National Security Advisor Discuss Means to Deepen Ties
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held talks with UK National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell in London on Wednesday. They reviewed the strong friendship and strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the UK and means to boost them in line with the aspirations of both countries' leadership. They also reviewed areas of cooperation and discussed regional and global developments, as well as ongoing efforts to support security and stability. Prince Khalid had held talks with British Secretary of State for Defense John Healey on Tuesday.
Al Arabiya
13-05-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
US and Saudi Arabia sign major defense, economic agreements
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump signed Tuesday the Strategic Economic Partnership Document between both countries. The leaders also signed a defense cooperation agreement on the modernization of the capabilities of the Saudi armed forces, along with an agreement between the Saudi Space Agency and NASA. Additionally, Saudi Arabia and the US signed an agreement for cooperation in the field of energy. For more news on Saudi Arabia, visit our dedicated page. Eight US presidents have considered Saudi Arabia a trusted strategic partner and a pivotal hub for discussing regional and international issues—Nixon, Jimmy Carter, George HW Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Trump (in two terms), and Biden. All of them visited Saudi Arabia. These visits were not mere diplomatic protocol, but opportunities to enhance cooperation with Riyadh and affirm the Kingdom's prominent role on the global stage. U.S. direct investments in Saudi Arabia reached approximately $15.3 billion in 2024, with 28 factories owned by American investors in partnership with Saudi investors located in the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones. Additionally, there are US investments in the Royal Commission cities of Jubail and Yanbu, including a $78 billion investment in Sadara Chemical Company in Jubail, a $22.5 billion investment in the Saudi Polymers Company, and a $19.6 billion investment in the Jubail Petrochemical Company (KEMYA). The volume of trade between Saudi Arabia and the United States reached $32 billion in 2024, with Saudi Arabia exporting goods and products worth $13 billion to the US, and importing goods worth $19 billion. Saudi Arabia and the United States signed a strategic cooperation agreement in the field of outer space exploration and peaceful use, aiming to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas such as space science, exploration, aerospace, education, and earth sciences. This agreement enables the Saudi Space Agency to collaborate with the US NASA agency.
Arab News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia hold first committee meeting on defense cooperation
DHAKA: Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh held the first meeting of their Joint Committee on Defense Cooperation, as Dhaka seeks to strengthen its security ties with the Kingdom. Maj. Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Khalidi, assistant chief of training and development of the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia, was in Dhaka to lead a Saudi delegation for the three-day talks, which concluded on Thursday. The Bangladeshi side was led by Lt. Gen. S.M. Kamrul Hassan, principal staff officer of Bangladesh's Armed Forces Division during the discussion. 'This is ... the first time that Bangladesh held a Joint Committee Defense Cooperation meeting with Saudi Arabia,' Lt. Colonel Sami-Ud-Dowla Chowdhury, director of Bangladeshi military's media wing ISPR, told Arab News. 'Both countries have signed a protocol on Thursday aimed at proceeding further with the discussions held on Tuesday in Dhaka.' The Saudi-Bangladesh defense cooperation covers several areas, including joint exercises, arms procurement, indigenous production capability and expertise sharing, Chowdhury said. 'With this, Bangladesh developed a defense-to-defense relation with one of our very trusted friends, Saudi Arabia. And definitely, it will open up a new horizon for increased defence cooperation.' Bangladesh is ready to contribute its operational knowledge with Saudi Arabia, he added, pointing to the military's experience in various locations around the world, including as one of the highest contributors of UN peacekeepers. The country ranks third in the top troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions, with more than 5,600 personnel as of February this year. '(This) operational knowledge could be helpful for Saudi Arabia for a better doctrine of military understanding. (The meeting) can be described as an elevation in terms of defense cooperation between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia,' Chowdhury said. The joint meeting comes after Bangladesh's Air Force chief, Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, visited the Kingdom in February. Dhaka and Riyadh signed in 2019 an agreement to further their military cooperation, which has served as a basis for their collaborations in the field. Stronger defense ties with Saudi Arabia would be beneficial for Bangladesh, especially if it entails more joint exercises between the two countries, said Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury, a defense expert and retired air officer of Bangladesh's Air Force. 'This is a very good idea,' he told Arab News. 'We don't have deserts in our country. If our officers and soldiers take part in joint exercises with Saudi Arabia's forces, our forces members will get acquainted with desert warfare. On the other hand, Saudi defense personnel can have experiences from Bangladesh over the riverine warfare tactics, jungle warfare, etc.' Both nations have opportunities to scale up collaborations across different areas, he added. With the assistance of Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh can develop its ordnance factories, and further its defense equipment and logistics production capabilities. 'It's a field of endless opportunities,' Choudhury said.
