Army cheif calls for defence partnerships

By NATION REPORTER

ZAMBIA Army Commander, Lieutenant General Sitali Alibuzwi has said defence industries in most African countries are at nascent stages hence the need for partnerships with advanced countries like India whose contribution to regional security is immense.

Speaking when he formed part of the 32 Defence Chiefs and Army Commanders that attended the Army Chiefs Conclave held in Pune, Southwest India on side-lines of the Africa India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX), Lt. Gen. Alibuzwi said the Zambian industry was open to investment and partnerships.

He has invited the Indian defence industries to take keen interest in Zambia’s aerospace, military engineering, land development, solar technologies, and mechanised agriculture innovations.

He said Zambia was ready for partnerships with India in areas such as production and supply of mobility equipment, ammunition, cyber security software, surveillance capabilities, and public-private partnership among others.

“I would like to thank the Indian Armed Forces for their continued support to Zambia and the Army Chief for bringing troops from Africa to participate in AFINDEX. We are looking forward to similar initiatives in future. We appreciate efforts by India to open avenues for closer collaboration in the development of mutually-beneficial South-South ties,” Lt-Gen. Alibuzwi said.

And delivering a keynote address, India’s Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande implored his fellow Chiefs to take full advantage of the numerous opportunities India offers for defence cooperation and collaboration at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

General Pande said India was eager to continue enhancing capacities for African militaries through courses, joint exercises, exchange of information, fight against terrorism and extremism, maritime security, and disaster management.