Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visits HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney, Australia on October 10.
New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to building a comprehensive, innovation-driven partnership with Australia in the defence sector, while addressing the maiden India-Australia Defence Industry Business Round Table in Sydney on Friday.
Describing the event as “a declaration of intent to make India and Australia natural allies in business, industry and innovation,” Singh said the two nations stand at a pivotal juncture under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2020. “We are re-positioning our defence relations, not merely as partners, but as co-creators of a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” he stated.
The Defence Minister recalled the momentum in bilateral engagements, including the India-Australia Summit in November 2024, the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in October 2024, and recent ministerial visits. He underlined that the foundation of India-Australia relations lies in shared democratic values, institutional similarities, and a common vision for a rules-based international order.
Highlighting the pillars of the partnership, Singh said the relationship rests on robust government-to-government ties, strong people-to-people connect, and expanding business convergence. While acknowledging the strength of the first two pillars, he noted that the industrial and innovation-based partnership still has “untapped potential.”
Citing India’s rapid economic growth, Singh stated that India is now the world’s fourth-largest economy and the fastest-growing among major nations. “Our defence production touched ₹1.51 lakh crore (about US$18 billion) last year — the highest ever, marking an 18% increase over the previous year,” he said. India’s defence exports also rose to ₹23,622 crore (US$ 2.76 billion), reaching nearly 100 countries.
Calling for closer industrial collaboration, Singh urged Australian businesses to partner with India in manufacturing, R&D and co-production. “Australia excels in niche technologies such as quantum systems, autonomous underwater vehicles and advanced maritime surveillance, while India brings vast manufacturing scale, software prowess, and indigenous strength in shipbuilding and missile technology,” he noted.
He highlighted India’s policy reforms, including Make in India, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, and liberalised FDI norms that allow up to 74% investment under the automatic route. “The defence production ecosystem is being continuously liberalised through policy interventions and simplification of compliance mechanisms,” he said, adding that the government has also opened DRDO technologies for free-of-cost transfer to the private sector.
Singh pointed to ongoing collaboration between India’s DRDO and Australia’s Defence Science & Technology Group in areas such as towed array sensors, quantum technology, AI, cybersecurity and information warfare. He invited Australian firms to co-develop propulsion systems, underwater vehicles, simulators and advanced materials with Indian partners.
Maritime Partnership
India’s proven shipbuilding capacity, he said, offers major opportunities for refits, maintenance and upgrades for the Royal Australian Navy and vessels under Australia’s Pacific Maritime Security Program. He cited existing partnerships — such as Indo-MIM with Thales Australia, Tata Advanced Systems with W&E Platt, and Munitions India with Aqusport — as examples of how industry collaboration can reinforce strategic intent.
Welcoming Australia’s proposal for a reciprocal provision of defence articles and services MoU, Singh said Canberra’s move to designate India as a “Top Tier Partner” for technology sharing reflects the growing trust between the two nations.
“There are huge opportunities for co-production, ship repair, refits, and joint R&D in autonomous systems and green shipbuilding technologies,” Singh said, urging both sides to diversify supply chains and invest in innovation for a resilient Indo-Pacific.
The Round Table, jointly organised by the Ministry of Defence (India), the Australian Department of Defence, Newland Global Group, and the Australia-India Business Council, brought together senior officials, diplomats, industry leaders, and innovators from both countries.