SOURCE: AFI
In a significant step towards deepening defence ties between India and Brazil, General Heraldo Luiz Rodrigues, Secretary of Defence Products (SEPROD) of Brazil, recently concluded an important visit to India. The discussions, held in New Delhi with top officials from the Ministry of Defence and representatives of the three armed services, underscored a shared commitment to fostering a robust partnership that transcends traditional buyer-seller dynamics. The talks covered a wide spectrum of areas, including submarine maintenance, missile systems, and broader technological collaboration, setting the stage for a transformative phase in Indo-Brazilian defence relations.
At the heart of this burgeoning partnership is an upcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on submarine Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), slated to be signed next month. This agreement is poised to be a game-changer for India’s naval defence capabilities, particularly in the realm of self-reliance. The MoU will enable India to maintain its fleet of Scorpène-class submarines—built under the Kalvari-class program—locally, reducing dependence on foreign expertise and cutting down turnaround times for repairs and maintenance.
The Scorpène-class submarines, designed by France’s Naval Group and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, form a critical component of India’s underwater fleet. However, the MRO process for these advanced vessels has historically relied on foreign technical assistance. With Brazil stepping in as a partner, India stands to gain access to Brazil’s extensive expertise in submarine maintenance—a domain where the South American nation has developed considerable proficiency. This collaboration will not only bolster India’s naval operational readiness but also pave the way for modernization and capability enhancement of its underwater fleet.
The groundwork for this partnership was laid during a Brazilian Navy delegation visit in 2022, led by Vice Admiral Liberal Enio Zanelatto. The delegation toured the Western Naval Command and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, where they inspected a Kalvari-class submarine and engaged in discussions on submarine technology, defence cooperation, and shared maritime interests. The visit sparked interest on the Brazilian side in collaborating with India for the maintenance of their own Scorpène-class submarines, which are operated by the Brazilian Navy under the PROSUB program.
The 2022 visit highlighted the complementary strengths of both nations. While India has made significant strides in indigenous submarine construction through MDL, Brazil has accumulated valuable experience in maintaining and operating its Scorpène-class fleet. The mutual interest in collaboration reflects a broader recognition of the strategic imperatives driving both nations—securing maritime domains, ensuring operational readiness, and reducing reliance on external support for critical defence needs.
While the submarine MRO MoU is a centerpiece of the current discussions, General Rodrigues’ visit also explored avenues for cooperation in other high-tech defence areas, such as missile systems and joint research and development. Both India and Brazil share a vision of building defence capabilities that are not only robust but also innovative, leveraging each other’s technological advancements to address common security challenges.
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