**Summary:**
On July 31, 2025, a seminar on the India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership was held in New Delhi on the sidelines of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC). The event, organized by the Department of Defence Production and jointly coordinated by the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and UAE's EDGE Group, brought together over 90 Indian defence companies and eight UAE firms. The seminar was co-chaired by Secretary Defence Production Shri Sanjeev Kumar and Under Secretary of Defence, UAE Staff Lt Gen Ibrahim Nasser Al Alawi. Building on the first forum held in Abu Dhabi in September 2024, the second edition focused on expanding industry-to-industry collaboration in areas such as unmanned systems, naval platforms, precision munitions, cyber defence, AI, and space-based technologies. Both Shri Sanjeev Kumar and Lt Gen Al Alawi emphasized the importance of institutional cooperation and highlighted opportunities for advanced technology partnerships. The seminar aimed to reaffirm the commitment of both nations to a future-ready defence partnership and concluded with B2B discussions focusing on aligning capabilities in defence manufacturing, MRO, aerospace, and emerging technologies to promote self-reliance and export-led growth. Dignitaries present included Ambassador of India to UAE Shri Sanjay Sudhir; Chief of Defence Security Industrial Affairs, Tawazun Council, Matar Ali Al Romaithi; President, SIDM Shri Rajinder Singh Bhatia and MD CEO, EDGE Group Mr. Hamad Al Marar.
Key Entities Referenced
IndiaUAE Defence Industry Partnership: A bilateral partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates focused on strengthening cooperation in the defence industry.
Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC): A committee facilitating defence cooperation between India and the United Arab Emirates.
India Habitat Centre, New Delhi: The location in New Delhi, India, where the IndiaUAE Defence Industry Partnership seminar was held.
Department of Defence Production: A department of the Indian government responsible for defence production.
Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM): An organization promoting the interests of Indian defence manufacturers.
EDGE Group: A defence and technology group based in the United Arab Emirates.
Shri Sanjeev Kumar: Secretary of Defence Production, India.
Abu Dhabi: Capital city of the United Arab Emirates, location of the first IndiaUAE Defence Industry Partnership Forum in September 2024.
Ministry of Defence
Second Edition of India-UAE Defence Industry
Partnership Seminar Held on JDCC Sidelines
Posted On: 31 JUL 2025 6:47PM by PIB Delhi
On the sidelines of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC), a seminar on the India-UAE Defence
Industry Partnership was held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, on July 31, 2025. Organised under the
aegis of the Department of Defence Production and jointly coordinated by Society of Indian Defence
Manufacturers (SIDM) & UAE’s EDGE Group, the event witnessed participation from over 90 Indian
defence companies and eight UAE firms. Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar and Under
Secretary of Defence, UAE Staff Lt Gen Ibrahim Nasser Al Alawi, co-chaired the event.
Building on the first India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership Forum held in Abu Dhabi in September 2024,
this second edition focused on expanding industry-to-industry collaboration in areas including unmanned
systems, naval platforms, precision munitions, cyber defence, AI, and space-based technologies. Shri Sanjeev
Kumar emphasised the importance of institutional cooperation and identified key domains for future
engagement. Lt Gen Al Alawi echoed these sentiments, highlighting opportunities for advanced technology
partnerships and acknowledging the strength of India’s growing defence industry.
The seminar reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to forge a future-ready, resilient and trusted defence
partnership extending beyond transactional cooperation. The event concluded with B2B discussions focusing
on aligning capabilities in defence manufacturing, MRO, aerospace, and emerging technologies paving the
way for self-reliance & export-led growth.
Ambassador of India to UAE Shri Sanjay Sudhir; Chief of Defence & Security Industrial Affairs, Tawazun
Council, Matar Ali Al Romaithi; President, SIDM Shri Rajinder Singh Bhatia and MD & CEO, EDGE Group
Mr. Hamad Al Marar were also present on the occasion.
****
VK/SR/KB
(Release ID: 2150944)