India to give Seychelles Dornier, Chetak helicopters to combat piracy

[Mogambo]

India to give Seychelles Dornier, Chetak helicopters to combat piracy

Defence Minister AK Antony, who is on a two day trip to Seychelles, has agreed to provide one new Dornier and two Chetak helicopters for maritime surveillance at the earliest.

Although the normal delivery time taken by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is 18 to 24 months, Antony said: "New Delhi will try to supply the aircraft in 15 months. During this period, India will provide one of her in-service Dornier Aircraft to carry out maritime surveillance."

Agreeing to a request from the Seychellois side, he said India will help them to carry out Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance as frequently as possible.

Antony also said that the Indian Navy will also make additional visits this year to conduct surveillance and hydrographic survey, and added that India will help Seychelles in capacity building of their armed forces.

Concerned over the increasing reach of the pirates, he said the problem of piracy in the Gulf of Aden affects all countries of the world.

"This is a problem which calls for cooperation among all countries. The Indian Ocean links us all and is critical for our economic interests. We must cooperate to ensure peace and stability in this region," Antony added.

Antony held a series of meetings with President James Alix Michel, Vice President Danny Faure, Home Minister Joel Morgan and Foreign Minister Jean Paul Adam in Mahe. (ANI)

India to give Seychelles Dornier, Chetak helicopters to combat piracy

 

[Abingdonboy]

ha,ha, very good by Indians, instead of just decommisioning old and obsolete a/c that they are going to replace (tenders already out) they are selling them, making a bit of money AND boosting ties to expand their global influence. Copying US stratagy (Pakistan-Old obsoltete Cobra attack helos replaced by SuperCobras, F-16s soon to be replaced by F-35 etc....) very good show

 

[jha]

why not give them from our own inventory as a stop gap measure...It is our responsibility to help the smaller countries out in the time of crisis, especially for the states in the Indian Ocean region..

 

[trident2010]

I am not sure if India is charging for the crafts. No information given.

 

[trident2010]

why not give them from our own inventory as a stop gap measure...It is our responsibility to help the smaller countries out in the time of crisis, especially for the states in the Indian Ocean region..

Yes. they are doing it

"Although the normal delivery time taken by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is 18 to 24 months, Antony said: New Delhi will try to supply the aircraft in 15 months. During this period, India will provide one of her in-service Dornier Aircraft to carry out maritime surveillance."

 

[somebozo]

Finally India does something good for its neighbours..one man junk may be another man treasure. Piracy is a big nuisance which needs to be combated. India is proving itself responsible enough to inherit Indian ocean

 

[Tshering22]

We do good for all our neighbours, buddy. We cannot help it if you and Chinese cannot tolerate us. Other than the two, we don't have problems with anyone; i.e. any problems with consequences.

We have good ties with Mauritius, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, even Bangladesh and now Seychelles. Comparing these with two neighbouring countries doesn't cause us much concern.

 

[voudou2323]

This is a very nice gesture by the Indians. The Seychelles is such a small island, it makes me wonder how big of a military presence they have, if anything at all, not to mention a complete lack of nautical crafts to do routine patrols. The only thing I ever see if the Topaz as their only capable ship. Anyone have any insight as to the size of military or if they even have the capabilities to defend themselves from the Pirates?