Australia calls India a ‘trusted partner’, stresses need to establish a Defence Innovation Bridge

Peter Khalil emphasized that India is one of Australia’s most reliable partners and that both countries are committed to shared democratic values, mutual respect and a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific. Australian Deputy Minister of Defense

Khalil was speaking as co-chair at the high-level Australia-India Defense Industry Roundtable in Sydney, organized by the Department of Defense in partnership with CUTS International.

The event was co-chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. It brought together senior government representatives, defense industry leaders, innovators and policy experts from both countries. The dialogue aimed to advance cooperation in the fields of defense production, research and strategic technologies and strengthen the growing momentum in bilateral relations.
Khalil described the partnership as based on “security, strength and opportunity”, highlighting the vital role of the Indian diaspora, Australia’s second largest and one of the fastest growing diasporas, in strengthening people-to-people and industrial ties.

Khalil emphasized that defense cooperation has emerged as one of the key pillars of the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. “Australia will always stand by India as a true friend. Together we can shape a safe and stable Indo-Pacific region based on trust, transparency and technological cooperation,” he said.

Singh echoed these sentiments, observing that India and Australia sit at a crucial juncture in the Indo-Pacific marked by new opportunities for innovation and collaboration. He underlined that the forum provides an important platform to bring together governments, civil society and industries to deepen mutual understanding and establish long-term cooperation. “India’s strengths lie in areas such as shipbuilding, missile systems, drone technologies and space, where we are now developing indigenous capabilities that contribute to global supply chains,” Singh said. He highlighted India’s expanding defense exports, which now reach more than 100 countries. We believe India’s vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ is closely aligned with the spirit of partnership and co-development that defines India-Australia interaction.

Singh identified several key fruits for immediate collaboration, including setting up of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in Indian shipyards, joint innovation in science and technology, and cooperation in emerging areas such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence, underwater warfare and critical technologies. He invited Australian industry to explore India’s rapidly evolving defense ecosystem and participate in joint development initiatives.

Industry participants from both countries showed strong interest in advancing joint projects and investments. Ferra Group, for example, highlighted India’s ongoing joint development work on the Tejas aircraft. While Australia’s Navantia confirmed India’s long-standing presence in the shipbuilding sector, Blue Glass talked about its collaboration with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on advanced underwater communications and weapons systems.

Boeing Defense, Space and Security also participated in the discussions and underlined its commitment to expand aerospace and defense cooperation between India and Australia. Company representatives highlighted Boeing’s ongoing partnerships with Indian industries and its contribution to joint design, manufacturing and supply chain development.

The discussion highlighted Boeing’s interest in supporting next-generation platforms, unmanned aerial systems and advanced training capabilities; these areas were in line with the joint development and industrial integration priorities of both governments.

Emerging companies such as Grabba Technologies, Arborescent and Titomic have expressed excitement about exploring new joint ventures in areas such as semiconductors, materials science and advanced manufacturing.

Carbonix, which has been successfully operating in the Australian drone market, has stated that it intends to enter Asia, particularly India, to better understand and participate in the Indian defense ecosystem.

Similarly, ER Defense and Space Machinery Company has outlined plans to accelerate partnerships and co-manufacturing in India, especially in aerospace. The Center for Advanced Manufacturing Growth has recommended greater emphasis be placed on the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of innovation in both economies.

Pradeep S. Mehta, Secretary General of CUTS International, as the Moderator of the event, said: “This dialogue reflects the trust and common goals that define the India-Australia relationship. As a non-governmental organization working globally on trade, investment and security issues, CUTS International focuses on designing and executing research and advocacy projects on similar platforms; this event is a reflection of the bilateral defense partnership.” “It marks a turning point in its deepening,” he said.

“We will continue to facilitate initiatives that bring policymakers, industry and researchers together to shape a secure, innovative and collaborative Indo-Pacific, especially as it coincides with the first visit of an Indian Defense Minister to Australia in over twelve years,” Mehta said.

In his closing remarks, Gopal Baglay, India’s High Commissioner to Australia, suggested that instead of one-off events, there should be a series of follow-up workshops and joint capability seminars that enable industry participants to understand each other’s strengths and operational frameworks.

He said such sustainable engagement would facilitate co-production, co-development and innovation-oriented cooperation. He also emphasized the need to hold a special conference in India in early 2026 to further strengthen India-Australia defense cooperation.

The discussions resulted in a number of prospective conclusions that participants praised as both important and promising. These included:

• a) Establishment of the India-Australia Defense Bridge, a permanent institutional mechanism to facilitate sustained dialogue and joint initiatives;
• b) Organizing a similar Defense Industry Round Table Meeting in India in 2026, in addition to thematic seminars focusing on critical and emerging technologies in both countries; And
• c) Accelerate joint development and joint production of defense platforms and technologies, thereby deepening industrial integration and increasing supply chain flexibility.

Participants agreed that the rapprochement between India and Australia extends beyond defense to broader strategic and technological areas. Both countries share a commitment to an inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific order where transparency, innovation and sustainable growth are key pillars.

At the roundtable meeting, it was confirmed that bilateral cooperation in areas such as space technologies, quantum research, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems in the underwater field will not only serve mutual interests but also contribute to regional peace and prosperity.

The discussions also highlighted the need to build bridges between governments, academia, civil society and industry to ensure a holistic approach to defense innovation and capacity building. Strengthening supply chain linkages, promoting cross-border research partnerships, and increasing industry preparedness were recognized as critical steps towards achieving these goals.

Participants emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogues, research collaborations, and stronger cross-industry and Track 1.5 connections to deepen trust and accelerate collaboration in critical technologies, space, and innovation.

This event was supported by Newland Global Group, Sydney and the Australia-India Business Council.