Belgian defence companies have secured significant contracts in India as part of the ongoing Belgian trade mission.
During a roundtable discussion on defence, attended by key figures including Belgian Princess Astrid and Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration Theo Francken, Indian officials expressed strong interest in Belgian expertise and defence products. The agreements underscore India’s growing focus on diversifying its arms procurement and increasing domestic defence production.
Belgian Firms Expand Presence in India
Among the notable deals, the Walloon steel company John Cockerill announced a joint venture in India to locally manufacture turrets for a new light tank, designed for deployment in the Himalayan region. Additionally, OIP, a technology firm from Oudenaarde, is in contention to supply sensors for these same tanks.
Meanwhile, Thales Belgium signed a contract to provide 70mm rocket systems for the Indian Army’s helicopters. Several other Belgian defence companies, including FN Herstal, Safran, Becover, Match ID, Amos, and Syensqo, attracted interest from Indian officials, highlighting Belgium’s growing role in India’s defence modernisation efforts.
India’s Shifting Defence Strategy
India has long been one of the world’s largest arms importers and is steadily increasing its domestic weapons production. The country is also actively reducing its reliance on Russian military equipment, a shift that has opened opportunities for European and American defence firms.
Historically, Russia has been India’s primary arms supplier, but since 2002, its share of India’s total arms imports has significantly declined. In response, France, Germany, Israel, and the United States have increased their defence exports to India. India itself has also made significant strides in indigenous production, manufacturing components for naval ships, tanks, fighter jets, and air defence systems.
Reducing Dependence on Moscow
Since 2014, the Indian government has pursued a strategy to diversify its defence procurement to reduce dependence on Moscow. Despite this effort, Russian-made equipment, including tanks, fighter jets, helicopters, and submarines, still constitutes a large portion of India’s military assets, necessitating continued maintenance and spare parts from Russia.
While India remains engaged with Russian defence manufacturers, it is steadily advancing its domestic production capabilities. A significant milestone in this regard was the launch of the aircraft carrier Vikrant in 2022, 75% of which was produced in India. The country’s defence industry continues to expand, with an increasing number of indigenous projects aimed at self-sufficiency.
Strengthening EU-India Defence Cooperation
The latest agreements between Indian and Belgian firms reflect India’s broader effort to engage with European defence suppliers. The presence of Belgian government officials, including Princess Astrid, underscores Belgium’s commitment to deepening its strategic and economic ties with India.
These discussions come just days after India and the European Union pledged to explore a security and defence partnership to counter common threats. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with Princess Astrid and Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken in New Delhi to explore potential defence engagements, particularly in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain. Both countries agreed to work towards an “institutionalised defence cooperation mechanism” to facilitate long-term strategic collaboration.
Belgium’s growing role in India’s defence sector aligns with a broader EU effort to increase defence ties with India. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth recently met with the European Commission’s Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, to discuss India’s participation in the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (Pesco) framework and other European developmental projects. Kubilius also highlighted India’s potential role in the EU’s defence supply chains, especially as European nations seek to modernise their armed forces in response to geopolitical challenges.
