Rajnath Singh seeks joint production of military equipment with Australia

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said India and Australia were in discussions to advance cooperation in quantum technology, artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, information warfare and other areas of advanced science and technology.

He was speaking at the maiden India-Australia Defence Industry Business Roundtable in Sydney, where he highlighted ongoing collaboration between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group on the production of towed array sensors for warships.

Inviting Australian industry participation, Singh said India welcomes companies to co-develop and co-produce high-end systems such as propulsion technologies, autonomous underwater vehicles, flight simulators and advanced material.

Such ventures, he noted, can help build interoperable platforms aligned with the strategic objectives of both nations.

He said the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership places the two countries at a pivotal juncture to reposition their defence ties as co-creators of a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Calling for closer industrial collaboration, Singh said: “I see this forum as an important instrument to make India and Australia natural allies in business and industry too. This alliance has compelling economic reasons to be successful and mutually beneficial.”

He noted that Australia excels in niche technologies such as quantum systems, autonomous underwater vehicles and advanced maritime surveillance, while India brings large-scale manufacturing capacity, software expertise and indigenous strength in shipbuilding, missile technology and space systems.

“There are huge opportunities for co-production of naval vessels and sub-systems, ship repair, refits and MRO support in India for Australian and partner-nation vessels, as well as joint R&D in autonomous systems and green shipbuilding technologies,” Singh added.

The roundtable was jointly organised by the Union Ministry of Defence, the Australian Department of Defence and the Australia-India Business Council.