India and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Defence Ties with Joint Military Manufacturing Initiative

India and Saudi Arabia are advancing their defence and strategic collaboration by investigating the possibilities of jointly manufacturing military equipment, marking a notable transformation in their bilateral relations.

The discussions, which took place in New Delhi during the India–Saudi Arabia Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation meeting, concentrated on broadening defence industry collaboration, maritime security, and enhancing military interactions between the two nations.

Defence Production and Technology Transfer

Both countries expressed their dedication to establishing long-term partnerships in defence production, technology transfer, and integrating supply chains, with a focus on self-reliance and minimizing reliance on traditional Western vendors.

India showcased its achievements under the Make in India initiative, while Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its Vision 2030 aim of localizing over half of its defence acquisitions. The discussions pinpointed potential co-production areas, including drones, electronic warfare systems, and naval platforms.

Training, Cyber and Maritime Cooperation

India proposed specialized training slots for Saudi officers at its leading defence academies, underscoring the importance of skill enhancement. The agenda also emphasized collaboration in cyberspace, tactical communications, and disaster management.

Maritime cooperation emerged as a prominent focus, propelled by mutual concerns about securing the Arabian Sea, the Gulf, and vital global trade routes.

Strategic Convergence in the Gulf

This initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s intent to diversify its defence partnerships beyond the US and Europe, while India seeks to expand its presence in the Gulf region. Defence ties between the two nations have been strengthening, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Riyadh in April 2025, which formalized high-level defence dialogues through the India–Saudi Strategic Partnership Council.

For India, this collaboration paves the way for increased defence exports and growth in its indigenous industry, while for Saudi Arabia, it offers affordable alternatives to Western imports and supports its drive for industrial localization.

Looking Ahead

The joint committee meeting outcome demonstrates a clear intention to evolve beyond the traditional buyer-seller dynamic towards joint development and innovation-focused collaboration. The forthcoming phase will involve turning these discussions into tangible projects such as joint R&D centers, defence industrial clusters, and co-production facilities.

With India emerging as a burgeoning defence manufacturing center and Saudi Arabia advancing its Vision 2030 objectives, this partnership is set to significantly influence the strategic security landscape of the Asia–Middle East region.