Rajnath Singh calls for deeper India-Australia defence partnership for enhanced Indo-Pacific security

Addressing the India-Australia Defence Industry Business Round Table in Sydney, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted that while India offers vast manufacturing scale, software capabilities, and indigenous strength in shipbuilding, missile technology and space, Australia excels in niche technologies such as quantum systems, autonomous underwater vehicles and advanced maritime surveillance, making the defence collaboration between the two countries extremely important.

 

At the event, jointly organised by the ministry of defence (Government of India), the Australian department of defence, the Newland Global Group and the Australia-India Business Council defence minister pointed out that under the banner of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2020, the two countries stand at a pivotal juncture to re-position the defence relations, not merely as partners, but as co-creators of a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

 

Singh observed that strong bilateral relations rest on three essential pillars—a forward-looking government-to-government collaboration, people-to-people connect and convergence of business interests. “Our governmental frameworks are robust and getting further strengthened. On the people’s front, we have a large Indian diaspora in Australia, complemented by an increasing Australian presence in India. However, our defence industrial partnership, based on joint R&D, innovation, co-creation and co-production, still has untapped potential.”

 

He noted that DRDO and Australia’s Defence Science & Technology Group are already collaborating on towed array sensors, and discussions are advancing in quantum technology, AI, cyber security, information warfare, and advanced science and technology.

 

India welcomes Australian companies to co-develop and co-produce high-end systems, including propulsion technologies, autonomous underwater vehicles, flight simulators, and advanced materials and added that these ventures can help build interoperable platforms aligned with the strategic objectives of both nations.

 

Further, highlighting the ship-building capabilities of India, the defence minister said, “Our shipyards have a proven track record in building and maintaining a wide range of naval platforms. Indian yards can offer refit, mid-life upgrades, and maintenance services to the Royal Australian Navy and vessels under Australia’s Pacific Maritime Security Program.”

Defence