Belgian defense companies obtain contracts in India as part of the strengthening of EU-India links

Belgian defense companies have obtained important contracts In India as part of the current Belgian commercial mission.

During a round table on the defense, which have attended key personalities, notably the Belgian princess Astrid and the Secretary of State for Asylum and the Migration Theo Francken, Indian officials expressed a strong interest in Belgian expertise and defense products. The agreements underline the growing accent of India on the diversification of its arms markets and the increase in domestic defense production.

Belgian companies expand the presence in India

Among the notable offers, Walloon Steel John Cockerill has announced a joint venture in India to locally manufacture turrets for a new light reservoir, designed for deployment in the Himalayan region. In addition, OIP, a technological company from Oudenaarde, is in the running to provide sensors for these same tanks.

Meanwhile, Thales Belgium signed a contract to provide 70 mm rocket systems to the helicopters of the Indian army. Several other Belgian defense companies, including FN HERSTAL, SAFRAN, BECOVER, Match ID, AMOS and SYENSQO, have aroused the interest of Indian officials, stressing the growing role of Belgium in the modernization efforts of the defense of India.

India’s changing defense strategy

India has long been one of the largest arms importers in the world and regularly increases its production of interior weapons. The country also actively reduces its dependence on Russian military equipment, a change that has opened opportunities for European and American defense companies.

Historically, Russia is the main provider of arms of India, but since 2002, its share of total importance of arms of India has decreased considerably. In response, France, Germany, Israel and the United States have increased its defense exports to India. India itself has also made significant progress in indigenous production, manufacturing components for naval ships, tanks, fighter planes and air defense systems.

Reduce dependence on Moscow

Since 2014, the Indian government has continued a strategy to diversify its defense purchases in order to reduce dependence in Moscow. Despite this effort, Russian manufacturing equipment, including tanks, fighter planes, helicopters and submarines, still constitutes a large part of the military assets of India, requiring continuous maintenance and Russia spare parts.

While India remains engaged with Russian defense manufacturers, it regularly advances its interior production capacities. An important step in this regard was the launch of the aircraft carrier vikrant in 2022, 75% of which were produced in India. The country’s defense industry continues to develop, with an increasing number of indigenous projects aimed at self -sufficiency.

Strengthen the cooperation of the defense of the EU-India

The latest agreements between Indian and Belgian companies reflect the wider efforts of India to engage with European defense suppliers. The presence of representatives of the Belgian government, including Princess Astrid, underlines the commitment of Belgium to deepen her strategic and economic ties with India.

These discussions occur only a few days after India and the European Union have undertaken to explore a security and defense partnership to counter common threats. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met Princess Astrid and Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken in New Delhi to explore potential defense commitments, in particular in the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain. The two countries have agreed to work on a “cooperation mechanism in institutionalized defense” to facilitate long -term strategic collaboration.

The growing role of Belgium in the defense sector of India aligns with a broader EU effort to increase defense links with India. Minister of State for Defense Sanjay Seth Recently met With the Commissioner of the European Defense and Space Commission, Andrius Kubilius, to discuss India’s participation in Permanent structured cooperation of the EU (PESCO) framework and other European development projects. Kubilius also underlined the potential role of India in the supply chains of the defense of the EU, in particular while the European nations seek to modernize their armed forces in response to geopolitical challenges.