New Delhi: India-UAE defence partnership is entering a major new phase as both countries have agreed to jointly manufacture drones, missiles, naval platforms and ammunition.
The new agreement, signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Abu Dhabi, aims to strengthen defence production, technology sharing and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
The move is expected to boost India’s defence manufacturing sector while bringing large-scale investment and advanced collaboration from the UAE.
Details of India-UAE Defence Partnership
India and the United Arab Emirates signed the “Strategic Framework for Defence Industrial Collaboration” after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.
Read also: India and UAE Join Forces Under FATF to Crack Down on Terror Financing and Illicit Money Flows
According to official statements shared by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the agreement focuses on:
- Joint production of defence equipment
- Advanced technology cooperation
- Defence innovation
- Maritime security
- Cyber defence
- Secure communication systems
- Information sharing
- Military training and interoperability
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the framework will strengthen defence industrial collaboration and encourage technology sharing between both countries.
India-UAE Defence Partnership: Focus on Drones, Missiles and Naval Platforms
Sources linked to the agreement said both nations are looking at high-tech defence manufacturing projects. These include:
- Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- Missiles
- Ammunition systems
- Naval ships and maritime platforms
- Artificial intelligence-based defence systems
- Precision-guided systems
India’s growing defence manufacturing ecosystem and the UAE’s financial strength are expected to play a major role in the partnership.
The partnership may also help India expand exports of indigenous defence systems under the “Make in India” initiative.
Defence Exports Continue to Grow
India’s defence exports have increased rapidly in recent years.
According to official data mentioned in reports:
- India’s defence exports reached around Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26
- Defence production crossed Rs 1.54 lakh crore
The government has been pushing local manufacturing through DRDO, private defence companies and strategic international partnerships.
India-UAE Defence Partnership: UAE Investment Boost for India
During the visit, the UAE also announced investments worth nearly $5 billion in India across multiple sectors including:
- Defence
- Energy
- Infrastructure
- Shipping
- Advanced technologies
Both countries also signed agreements related to:
- Strategic petroleum reserves
- LNG supply
- Maritime infrastructure
- Artificial intelligence cooperation
Officials said these agreements will deepen the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Why India-UAE Defence Partnership Matters
Experts believe the agreement is strategically important because:
- India wants to become a global defence manufacturing hub
- UAE is increasing investment in high-tech and security sectors
- Both countries want stronger regional security cooperation
- The partnership can reduce dependence on foreign arms imports
- Joint production can improve supply chains and exports
The agreement also comes at a time when many countries are increasing investments in drones, missile systems and maritime defence technologies.
Stronger Strategic Relations Between India and UAE
India and the UAE have significantly expanded relations over the last decade in:
- Trade
- Defence
- Energy
- Technology
- Maritime cooperation
- Investment
The latest defence framework shows both nations are now moving toward deeper strategic and industrial military cooperation.
