The German government has approved India’s National Security Guard (NSG) request to purchase spares and accessories for the MP5 submachine guns, indicating a significant exception in Germany’s otherwise strict policy of restricting the sale of small arms and their spares to ‘third countries’. This development signals a deepening partnership between India and Germany.
NSG initially acquired its MP5s from Heckler & Koch, a German manufacturer, before Germany imposed restrictions on small arms sales to ‘third countries’—countries outside the European Union, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states, and NATO-equivalent countries like Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
The exception for India means Indian military, para-military, and state police forces have additional options for sourcing small arms. Other branches of the Indian security apparatus, such as the navy’s marine commandos, also use MP5s.
While earlier reports suggested that Germany’s restrictions were linked to concerns about possible human rights abuses and their use in Jammu and Kashmir, officials clarified that the restrictions applied to all ‘third countries.’ The relaxation of this policy for India reflects Germany’s commitment to enhancing its strategic partnership with India, focusing on various sectors including security and defense.
The timing of this approval aligns with Germany’s broader efforts to deepen ties with India, especially as both nations seek to strengthen cooperation to ensure a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. Germany is expanding its military cooperation with India, including military-to-military interactions, participation in joint exercises, and offering military platforms like submarines.
Upcoming joint exercises, such as Tarang Shakti, will feature German fighter planes and transport aircraft arriving in India in early August to participate in the mega exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF). This exercise aims to improve interoperability, share best practices, and enhance military cooperation among the 12 participating air forces. Moreover, the German frigate Baden-Württemberg and combat support ship Frankfurt Am Main will visit Goa in late October as part of their Indo-Pacific deployment, underscoring Germany’s commitment to a rules-based order in the region.
Germany’s ongoing military discussions with India include potential collaborations on submarines and engines for India’s new light tank project. The P-75 India project, one of the largest Make in India programs, involves building six advanced submarines in India under the government’s strategic partnership model. German conglomerate ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited to bid for this project, offering the advanced HDW Class 214 submarines, while Spain’s Navantia also competes.
Overall, the German government’s approval for the NSG’s purchase of MP5 submachine gun spares is a key milestone, illustrating the growing trust and strategic cooperation between India and Germany.
