India and Belgium chart a new course in defence industrial collaboration
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
India and Belgium deepened defence industrial cooperation at a CEOs roundtable and B2B meetings in New Delhi on September 3, 2026, signing multiple memoranda of understanding between firms from both countries. The event, co‑chaired by Belgium’s Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade Theo Francken and India’s Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, highlighted a shift from simple buyer‑seller ties to joint co‑development and co‑production. Participants included Belgian industry delegates, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers. Key technology overlap identified includes cyber security, AI‑enabled unmanned aerial systems, underwater vehicles and complex weapon systems, leveraging India’s iDEX and ADITI platforms and its network of over 16,000 MSMEs. The dialogue aligns with broader EU‑India security frameworks and India’s “Make in India” drive for strategic autonomy through credible international partnerships.
💡 Why It Matters
- · The partnership turns India’s defence import reliance into a collaborative innovation hub, giving Belgian firms direct access to a vast, rapidly expanding Indian supply chain and R&D ecosystem.