New Delhi: Carrying Indo-Portuguese relations forward after the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, agreements and MoUs were inked covering a wide range of sectors including defence.

Seven agreements signed include the cooperation in setting up a national maritime museum heritage complex in Lothal, Gujarat; maritime transport and port development, mobility partnership and investments and start-ups.

The two countries signed seven MoUs in various sectors including defence studies and strategic areas, science and technology, aeronautics, and yoga. Portuguese group CEiiA (Centre of Excellence for Automotive Industry Innovation) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed an MoU for establishing a partnership for the development of new projects which are related to the aeronautical and space technology.

Portugal is the largest international partner of the multi-mission airlifter Embraer KC-390 programme. Embraer Company of Brazil will deliver five of these aircraft to Portugal from 2023. Portugal has been actively involved in the KC-390 programme from the development to the production of the aircraft.

“Portugal is interested in using this expertise with state-owned HAL,” officials said. UAVision of Portugal and the Indian company VEDA Defense Systems have signed an agreement which focuses on technology transfer, production and co-production of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). A training centre for the drones is expected to be created in India, with Portuguese know-how.

With an eye on Africa, Shipyards of Peniche and Goa Shipyard signed an MoU for the construction of speedboats in Portugal and India. This co-production will be done through the transfer of technology (ToT) which incorporates polymers to be utilised in the hulls.