Archive · 4 Sep 2026
India and Belgium Formalise Defence Pact, Pursue Co-Production
India and Belgium agreed to work more closely on defence.
Their companies signed 10 agreements about equipment such as rockets, drones and tank systems.
Some agreements also cover ships, mine-clearing technology, ammunition and software to defend against drones.
The two governments signed a Letter of Intent to organise regular military cooperation.
This could include training, officer exchanges, research, seminars and joint exercises.
India said Belgium could bring technology while India could provide large-scale manufacturing.
The countries also want to cooperate on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
They plan to strengthen cooperation against crimes that cross national borders and cybercrime.
Belgium and India described their partnership as being based on trust and shared values.
Indian and Belgian companies signed 10 defence agreements covering rockets, drones, ammunition, maritime systems and tank equipment.
The deals include 70mm rockets, mine-countermeasure systems, counter-drone technology and turrets for India’s Zorawar light tank.
The governments signed a Letter of Intent establishing regular military exchanges, training, research and defence-industrial cooperation.
Officials said Belgium’s technological expertise and India’s manufacturing scale could support joint development and production.
The countries also announced expanded security cooperation, including maritime collaboration and measures against transnational organised crime and cybercrime.
- Who
- India and Belgium, including their governments, defence ministries, armed forces and defence companies.
- What
- The two countries signed 10 industry agreements and a government-to-government Letter of Intent to expand defence and security cooperation.
- When
- The agreements and meetings took place on Thursday, September 3, during Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s official visit to India.
- Where
- The principal government and defence meetings took place in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The countries aim to institutionalise their defence relationship, pursue co-development and co-production, strengthen military capabilities and expand maritime and security cooperation.
- Industry agreements
- Ten agreements were signed by Indian and Belgian defence companies.
- Equipment covered
- The agreements address 70mm rockets, drones, autonomous maritime systems, ammunition, mine warfare, counter-drone systems, air-defence software and armoured-vehicle systems.
- Tank equipment
- The deals include turrets for India’s Zorawar light tank.
- Government framework
- A Letter of Intent established a framework for regular exchanges, staff talks, education and training, research cooperation and defence-industrial partnerships.
- Proposed cooperation
- The framework includes high-level visits, officer exchanges, seminars, joint exercises and capacity building.
- Maritime security
- India and Belgium acknowledged the need for cooperation on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
- Additional security agreement
- India’s Central Bureau of Investigation and Belgium’s Federal Police agreed to cooperate against transnational organised crime, cybercrime and related matters.
- Planned exchanges
- The Belgian frigate Leopold I is expected to visit India from November 5 to 8, 2026, while defence-college study exchanges are planned for October and 2027.
