India and Belgium have stepped up efforts to deepen defence-industrial cooperation, with both sides calling for stronger partnerships in advanced technologies, joint research, co-development and co-production of specialised defence equipment.
Belgian Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade Theo Francken and India’s Defence Minister (Mos) Sanjay Seth jointly addressed the India-Belgium Defence CEOs Roundtable and B2B Meetings in New Delhi on September 3, 2026. The meeting brought together representatives of Belgian defence companies, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).
The discussions focused on expanding industrial collaboration and combining Belgium’s technological capabilities with India’s manufacturing strength to develop products that can contribute to shared security and long-term prosperity.
Belgium Highlights Scope for Stronger Defence Partnership
Theo Francken emphasised the significant potential for deeper industrial engagement between the two countries, particularly at a time when the global security environment is undergoing rapid transformation.
He pointed to the expanding strategic relationship between India and the European Union, noting that institutional dialogue mechanisms are developing across areas such as maritime security, information security and aerospace.
According to Francken, these growing frameworks have helped establish India as a trusted and important partner for the European Union.
The Belgian minister also praised the energy and dynamism of Indian entrepreneurs and stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two defence establishments.
Highlighting the need for collective action in the face of evolving security challenges, he said, “United we stand, divided we fall.”
India Calls for Co-Development and Co-Production
Sanjay Seth highlighted India’s ongoing transformation from a defence sector heavily dependent on imports towards greater indigenous capability, stronger technology partnerships and increased global competitiveness.
He said initiatives such as Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India are helping reshape the country’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
According to Seth, India’s pursuit of strategic autonomy should not be viewed as isolation from global markets. Instead, he stressed that lasting strategic capability can be strengthened through credible, mutually beneficial international partnerships.
The minister invited Belgian defence manufacturers to combine their advanced technological expertise with India’s manufacturing scale and skilled workforce.
He identified several areas where the two countries could expand cooperation, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence-enabled unmanned aerial systems, underwater vehicles and complex weapon systems.
iDEX and ADITI Open New Innovation Opportunities
Seth also highlighted the role of India’s defence innovation programmes in connecting established global companies with emerging Indian technology firms.
Platforms such as iDEX and ADITI are bringing startups and MSMEs into areas including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, military communications, counter-drone systems and adaptive camouflage.
These initiatives, he said, provide important opportunities for bilateral research and development, technology partnerships and industrialisation.
India’s defence industrial ecosystem now includes Defence Public Sector Undertakings, an expanding private sector and more than 16,000 MSMEs. Domestic companies are increasingly contributing capabilities across aerospace, naval and land platforms, defence electronics, cybersecurity, space technology and unmanned systems.
Measures led by the Department of Defence Production are aimed at expanding industrial capacity, strengthening domestic supply chains and encouraging technology transfer and co-development.
Defence FDI and Industrial Corridors Offer Investment Opportunities
Seth pointed to India’s liberalised foreign direct investment framework as another avenue for international defence companies seeking deeper partnerships.
Foreign investment in the defence sector is permitted up to 74% through the automatic route and up to 100% through the government route, particularly creating opportunities for collaboration involving niche and advanced technologies. He also highlighted India’s space-sector reforms, under which the new space policy allows up to 100% FDI.
India’s dedicated Defence Industrial Corridors in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh were presented as important hubs for defence manufacturing and investment. Additional corridors are planned in Maharashtra, Assam and other regions, offering foreign original equipment manufacturers and technology partners access to industrial ecosystems and incentives.
Multiple MoUs Strengthen India-Belgium Defence Industry Links
The roundtable also witnessed the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding aimed at combining Belgian technology and Indian manufacturing capabilities.
Agreements included partnerships between SIDM and the Belgian Security & Defence Industry; Larsen & Toubro Limited and Exail Robotics SAS and EXAIL Robotics Belgium; Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd and FN Herstal; Tembo Classic Engineering Pvt Ltd and Lachaussée SA; India Optel Ltd and OIP; Krishna Industries Pvt Ltd and Pitagone; DGVK Enterprises Private Limited and Sol1 BV; as well as Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd with Thales Belgium SA and Thales India Pvt Ltd.
The agreements mark a significant step towards expanding industrial ties between Indian and Belgian defence companies.
The latest engagement underlines a broader shift towards technology-driven partnerships, with both countries seeking to move beyond conventional defence trade towards joint innovation, manufacturing and long-term industrial cooperation.
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