India-UAE Elevate Defence Ties with New Agreements, Joint Tech and Maritime Focus

In a significant step forward in bilateral relations, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening defence cooperation during the 13th India-UAE Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting held at the Secretary level for the first time. Convened in New Delhi, this landmark meeting symbolizes a maturing and strategic shift in Indo-UAE military relations, complementing the fast-growing partnership in trade, technology, and diplomacy.

The meeting was co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and UAE’s Under Secretary of Defense, Lt General Ibrahim Nasser M. Al Alawi, who is leading a senior UAE defence delegation on a two-day official visit.

Strategic Upgradation: A Comprehensive Defence Agenda

This iteration of the JDCC comes amid growing geopolitical convergence between India and the UAE and reflects both countries’ desire to institutionalize defence cooperation across all domains—land, air, sea, and cyber.

Key highlights from the meeting included:

• Enhanced Military Training Cooperation: India offered customised training modules tailored to meet UAE’s specific military needs. Both sides also explored collaboration between respective military training institutions and agreed to enhance joint participation in training programs.

• Maritime Security and Information Sharing: Recognizing the importance of maritime domain awareness, especially in the Indian Ocean and Gulf regions, the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in maritime security, including real-time information sharing, joint surveillance, and capacity building in naval operations.

• Service-to-Service Engagements: There was consensus on intensifying Army-to-Army, Navy-to-Navy, and Air Force-to-Air Force cooperation through regular staff-level talks, joint exercises, and exchanges of subject matter experts.

Defence Industrial Partnerships and Tech Co-Development

India and the UAE are now moving beyond joint exercises and training to deeper industrial and technological collaboration. The JDCC meeting included detailed discussions on:

• Joint Manufacturing Initiatives: Both nations reviewed ongoing partnerships such as the ICOMM-CARACAL collaboration for small arms production. Officials agreed to explore additional joint ventures and technology transfer frameworks to co-produce defence hardware suited to regional and international markets.

• Next-Gen Technology Collaboration: The two countries identified Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyber defence, drone technologies, and autonomous systems as key emerging areas for co-development and R&D cooperation.

• Naval Shipbuilding and Maintenance: India proposed support in ship refits, upgrades, and long-term maintenance of platforms used by both sides. This would allow the UAE to leverage India’s growing expertise in defence shipbuilding and maintenance under the “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives.

New MoU on Maritime Safety and Security

A notable outcome of the JDCC was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian Coast Guard and the UAE National Guard. The MoU sets a framework for cooperation in:

• Search and Rescue operations

• Pollution response mechanisms

• Anti-piracy efforts

• Joint maritime domain awareness

This MoU reinforces the two nations' commitment to a safe and secure maritime environment in the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and adjoining waters, which are critical for global trade and energy flows.

Preceding Staff Talks: Strengthening Services Ties

Ahead of the JDCC meeting, both countries held several bilateral Service-to-Service discussions:

• 4th Army-to-Army Staff Talks

• 9th Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks

• Inaugural Air-to-Air Staff Talks

Held from July 28–29, 2025, these discussions focused on expanding bilateral military exercises, enhancing interoperability, and increasing the frequency of training and professional exchanges between the armed forces.

Upcoming High-Level Interactions and Defence Industry Forum

On July 31, 2025, the UAE delegation will call on Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth and participate in the 2nd India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership Forum, co-inaugurated by Lt Gen Al Alawi and India’s Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar.

This forum is expected to bring together key stakeholders from both countries’ defence sectors, including state-owned enterprises, private manufacturers, and technology innovators, to explore co-development, supply chain integration, and investment opportunities.

A Strategic Pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

The defence relationship between India and UAE has grown significantly since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to UAE in 2015. Since then, ties have expanded across multiple dimensions—economic, cultural, technological, and now military.

India’s upcoming participation in the Dubai Air Show in November 2025 will further demonstrate the deepening trust and synergy between the two nations. The Indian Air Force is expected to showcase indigenous platforms, including the Tejas fighter jet and unmanned systems, positioning India as a defence partner of choice in the Middle East.

Indo-UAE Defence Ties Enter a New Era

With the successful conclusion of the 13th JDCC, India and the UAE have sent a clear message about their intent to build a robust, future-focused, and mutually beneficial defence partnership. As both countries continue to invest in security, technology, and joint development, this relationship is set to play a vital role in regional peace, stability, and prosperity.