Logistics Supply Agreement (LSA)  - An Overview

India has signed Logistics Supply Agreements with the United States of America (USA), France, South Korea, Australia, Singapore and Russia. India and the United Kingdom have plans on signing Logistics Supply Agreement (LSA). This article briefly throws light on the Logistics Supply Agreement (LSA).

Aspiring civil service candidates need to have a good understanding over the topics covered in International Affairs, and it is a vital segment in the IAS Exam. 

Logistics Supply Agreement (LSA) – UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here

Logistics Supply Agreement (LSA) – Introduction

1. Logistics Supply Agreement (LSA) is an agreement between 2 nations, for execution of various activities with each other, an agreement to assist each other.
2. LSA is basically a bilateral agreement.
3. LSA allows reciprocal access to the facilities of nations that have signed the agreement.

Logistics Supply Agreement (LSA) Agreement – Details

1. Facilitate greater interoperability between the nations.
2. Support to conduct training in each other’s areas.
3. Reciprocal facilitation of forces when engaged in activities such as disaster relief, humanitarian aid, peacekeeping operations. 
4. Support to each other’s forces during joint deployment under an international mandate of the United Nations (UN).
5. Access to each other’s ports – for the purpose of berthing, fuelling, support of spare parts, repairs etc.
6. It also includes rest and recuperation of crew members, supply of essential items like water, foods etc.
7. Permit smooth and seamless conduct of long duration complex and joint military exercises without the burden of logistic sustainment of forces in the foreign land by the guest country.

Logistics Supply Agreement (LSA) – Advantages

1. It helps a country in power projection in international waters, far away from its borders. It is possible since the nation’s armed forces does not have to carry all the required logistics for sustaining itself at a far away location from its home turf.
2. Hence a country’s surveillance aircrafts, fighter aircrafts, and warships can enter into the other nation’s (with LSA has been signed) airports and ports for the necessary logistics supply.
3. This agreement sends across a strategic message to the target country.
4. LSA helps in swift response to a crisis situation, tracking of enemy ships, thereby increasing the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).
5. It helps in maintaining presence in an area of importance, for an entire year, round the clock without interruption.

Logistics Supply Agreement (LSA) – Signed between India & Other Countries

The below details briefly explains the LSA agreements between India and other countries like USA, France, South Korea etc.

India & USA

To boost bilateral ties between Indian and US armed forces, 3 important agreements were signed, which are given below.

• Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) – it was signed in 2016. This agreement allows the use of each other’s military’s logistics facilities.LEMOA will increase the range and reach capability of the Indian Navy world over. For example, Indian Navy can use a US base located in Guam, thus increasing the reach of Indian Navy.

• Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) – It was signed between India and US in November, 2020. With this agreement Indian military can access the geo-spatial intelligence data from the United States of America (USA). This will help in increasing the accuracy of long range weapons.

• Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (COMCASA) – This agreement was signed in 2018. It mainly focuses on using encrypted communication networks, which is required for optimum utilization of high-end defence equipment like P-8I Maritime Surveillance aircrafts which is currently used by Indian Navy.

India & France

1. The LSA agreement between India and France will promote peace and stability in Pacific and Indian Ocean region.
2. The Navies of India and France, will share maritime intelligence.

India & Australia

1. India and Australia signed a comprehensive Mutual Logistic Support Agreement (MLSA), on June 04, 2020. It is the first agreement signed in a virtual bilateral meeting.
2. Both nations emphasised on a shared vision for maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

India & Japan

1. India and Japan signed a logistics supply agreement known as Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).
2. This agreement was signed in September 2020.

India & Singapore

1. India and Singapore signed the Logistics support agreement on 01 June 2020.
2. This agreement encompasses the ship-borne helicopters, aircrafts, warships, and submarines.

India & South Korea

1. India signed a mutual support logistics agreement with South Korea in September 2019.
2. With this agreement, Indian Navy’s reach has extended all the way to the North of South China Sea.

Logistics Supply Agreement (LSA) – UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here

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