Belgium and India sign 10 defence industry
Belgium and India have signed 10 defence industrial agreements during a Belgian delegation's visit to India, covering local production of Thales-made 70mm
India and Belgium have finalised 10 defence industrial agreements during a working visit by Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever, Defence Minister Theo Francken and 15 Belgian defence companies to India.
The agreements include a collaboration between Thales Belgium and Kalyani Strategic Systems to locally produce Thales-made 70mm rockets entirely in India, with the first unit expected in early 2027.
Belgium’s defence ministry stated the cooperation strengthens European security of rocket supply while helping India build domestic production capacity and giving Thales an additional source for international orders.
Another key agreement involves New Lachaussée of Liège and Tembo Classic Engineering in India for an ammunition production project valued at €50 million ($58 million). New Lachaussée will supply a full production line for two ammunition calibres and tooling for two additional calibres, with planned annual capacity of approximately 100 million rounds and deliveries scheduled for 2028 and 2029.
Exail Belgium will partner with Larsen & Toubro to supply autonomous toolboxes for detecting, identifying and neutralising naval mines to the Indian government. Exail is also under contract to jointly provide the Belgian and Dutch navies with 12 Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMVs).
The Anglo Belgian Corporation (ABC) is in discussions with Kirloskar Oil Engines to potentially offer expertise supporting Kirloskar in building the first fully Indian-produced 6MV marine diesel engine.
Flemish firm Sol.One and DGVK Enterprises are working to introduce an armed quadplane drone called Saboteur, designed to attack supply chains, along with low-cost drone interceptors named Buzzkill and Hitchhiker, to the Indian market. The Belgian press notice said Indian armed forces have requested information and want to test the aircraft, with successful tests potentially leading to large-scale orders.
A cooperation agreement was signed between the Belgian Security & Defence Industry (BSDI) and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) to help participation in co-development under India’s Make in India initiative.
Beyond industrial pacts, Brussels and New Delhi signed a Letter of Intent on structural cooperation covering training, officer exchanges, research and development, joint exercises and maritime security.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on X that multiple MoUs and contracts were signed to use Belgian technology with Indian skill and scale.
Theo Francken, Belgium’s Defence Minister, said India is modernising one of the largest armed forces in the world and that access to its programmes can quickly translate into major orders for companies whose technology is admitted.
