New Delhi: Reaffirming their shared vision of a robust, future-ready strategic partnership, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) convened the Second India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership Seminar on the sidelines of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in New Delhi.
Hosted at the India Habitat Centre, the India-UAE defence industry partnership seminar was organised by the Department of Defence Production, in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and the UAE’s leading defence conglomerate, EDGE Group.
The high-profile event saw participation from over 90 Indian defence manufacturers and eight UAE-based firms, underlining the growing momentum of bilateral defence industry collaboration.
Focus on Strategic Technologies and Future-Readiness
Co-chaired by Secretary (Defence Production), Sanjeev Kumar, and UAE’s Under Secretary of Defence, Lt Gen Ibrahim Nasser Al Alawi, the seminar served as a platform to deepen cooperation across critical domains. These include:
- Unmanned Aerial and Ground Systems
- Naval Platforms
- Precision Munitions
- Cyber Defence & Artificial Intelligence
- Space-Based Technologies
- Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)
- Aerospace Innovation
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Building on the outcomes of the first edition held in Abu Dhabi in September 2024, this follow-up edition emphasized industry-to-industry engagement and identified key areas for institutional collaboration, export-led growth, and self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
“India is committed to fostering resilient, trusted, and non-transactional defence partnerships with its key allies,” said Sanjeev Kumar.
Lt Gen Al Alawi added, “The UAE sees immense potential in collaborating with India’s fast-growing defence ecosystem, particularly in areas of advanced technologies and innovation.”
Strengthening Bilateral Strategic Ties
The event concluded with targeted B2B interactions between Indian and UAE firms, fostering collaboration in defence platforms, supply chains, and co-development initiatives aimed at expanding both nations’ global defence footprints.
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India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership Seminar: High-Level Participation
Dignitaries attending the event included:
- Sanjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to UAE
- Matar Ali Al Romaithi, Chief of Defence & Security Industrial Affairs, Tawazun Council
- Rajinder Singh Bhatia, President, SIDM
- Hamad Al Marar, MD & CEO, EDGE Group
The seminar highlighted the India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership as a cornerstone of bilateral strategic cooperation, aligning both nations’ interests in regional security, technological innovation, and global defence supply chain integration.
