India, Belgium Sign Defence Cooperation Deal to Boost Military Ties

India and Belgium have agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation, opening a new phase of military and defence-industrial engagement between the two countries.

The agreement came during Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s official visit to India, where he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on September 3.

The two governments welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent between their Ministries of Defence, creating a framework for more structured cooperation between the Indian and Belgian armed forces.

Framework for Regular Military Cooperation

The Letter of Intent provides for regular military exchanges, staff-level talks, education and training, research cooperation and defence-industrial partnerships.

The agreement builds on an understanding reached by the two countries’ defence ministers in March 2025 to institutionalise and strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.

India and Belgium also agreed to expand cooperation through high-level visits, training and capacity building, while maintaining a focus on regional security and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Defence Industry Becomes a Major Focus

The new partnership goes beyond traditional military exchanges.

India and Belgium are seeking greater opportunities for co-development and co-production of defence equipment, combining Belgian technological expertise with India's manufacturing capabilities.

India’s Ministry of Defence said Belgian defence companies were encouraged to work with Indian manufacturers on niche defence products and technologies.

A series of agreements between Indian and Belgian defence companies has already been signed, covering areas including ammunition, rockets, mine-countermeasure systems, counter-drone technology, electro-optics, weapons and armoured-vehicle systems.

Rockets, Ammunition and Naval Systems

One significant industrial agreement involves 70mm rocket systems.

Belgian company Thales Belgium and India's Kalyani Strategic Systems have agreed to cooperate on local assembly and production, with the first rocket produced entirely in India expected in early 2027.

Another agreement between Exail Belgium and Larsen & Toubro focuses on autonomous systems for detecting, identifying and neutralising naval mines.

The cooperation could support India's wider mine-countermeasure vessel programme and expand collaboration in underwater robotics and autonomous maritime technology.

Cooperation on Future Defence Technologies

The agreements also cover emerging areas of defence technology.

Belgian firms are exploring cooperation with Indian companies in counter-drone systems, electro-optical equipment, air-defence software and autonomous maritime systems.

Belgium's defence industry is therefore positioning itself not only as an equipment supplier but increasingly as a potential partner in India's effort to expand domestic defence manufacturing.

India, meanwhile, is seeking partnerships that can support technology access, local production and greater self-reliance in defence.

Maritime Security and Indo-Pacific

Maritime security is another important element of the new relationship.

India and Belgium have acknowledged the importance of greater cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, including maritime security and military exchanges.

The two countries have also identified upcoming military engagements that could strengthen institutional ties.

A Belgian Navy frigate, LEOPOLD I, is scheduled to visit India from November 5 to 8, 2026.

Belgium’s Defence College is also planning a World Study Trip to India in 2027, while India's College of Defence Management is expected to undertake a study tour to Belgium in October 2026.

A Broader Strategic Partnership

The defence agreement forms part of a much wider effort to strengthen India-Belgium relations.

During the talks, the two countries also discussed trade, investment, clean energy, critical minerals, semiconductors, technology, research and talent mobility.

India and Belgium have set a goal of doubling bilateral trade over the next five years, while establishing an Investment Fast-Track Mechanism to facilitate Belgian investment in India.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen intelligence sharing and cooperation between their agencies in combating crime.

Why the Defence Deal Matters

The agreement gives both countries an opportunity to deepen cooperation at a time when defence supply chains, advanced military technology and maritime security are becoming increasingly important.

For India, partnerships with European defence companies can support its Make in India and defence self-reliance objectives, particularly when cooperation includes local manufacturing and technology development.

For Belgium, deeper access to India's expanding defence-industrial ecosystem provides opportunities for its companies to participate in one of the world's largest defence markets.

The relationship is therefore evolving from traditional diplomatic and commercial engagement towards a more structured strategic and industrial partnership.

India-Belgium Defence Ties Enter a New Phase

The signing of the Letter of Intent marks an important step in formalising military cooperation between India and Belgium.

With regular defence dialogue, military training, research, maritime cooperation and industrial partnerships now receiving greater attention, the two countries are laying the groundwork for long-term defence collaboration.

The next phase will depend on how quickly the agreements translate into concrete joint projects, local production and sustained military-to-military engagement.

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