UAE–India Defence Industry Forum begins in Abu Dhabi

The UAE-India Defence Industry Forum kicked off in Abu Dhabi, highlighting ongoing efforts to boost defence and industrial cooperation between the two nations. Organized by the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement in partnership with the Indian Embassy in the UAE and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), the forum aimed to facilitate dialogue and explore synergies in the defence and industrial sectors.

Notable participants included Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of the Tawazun Council, Dr. Deepak Mittal, India's Ambassador to the UAE, and AVM Arvind Verma, Vice President (Exports) at Zen Technologies and leader of the SIDM delegation. Government officials and senior representatives from the UAE Ministry of Defence, the Indian Embassy, EDGE Group, and key defence companies from both countries also attended.

The forum's proceedings featured discussions on the capabilities and priorities of the Indian defence industry, with Indian companies showcasing their businesses, technical skills, and potential areas of collaboration with UAE entities. Bilateral meetings were held to explore opportunities in manufacturing, research and development, advanced technologies, and supply chains.

Dr. Nasser Al Nuaimi emphasized that the forum would help translate strategic relations into concrete industrial and defence cooperation opportunities. He suggested that through the event, companies from both nations could identify areas where partnership could yield significant value, ranging from manufacturing and R&D to technologies and supply chains.

India's Ambassador to the UAE, Dr. Deepak Mittal, spoke about the evolving nature of the India-UAE defence relationship, shifting from traditional defence diplomacy towards deeper industrial collaboration and co-development. This shift is guided by the Strategic Defence Partnership Framework, which aims to align India’s "Make in India" strategy with the UAE’s "Make it in the Emirates" approach, fostering co-development, co-production, and stronger integration of the defense industrial ecosystems of both countries.

AVM Arvind Verma added that the forum provided Indian companies with a platform to present their industrial capabilities, technologies, and defense solutions to UAE businesses. This exchange would deepen understanding of each other's needs and priorities, paving the way for new areas of cooperation and robust partnerships between UAE and Indian companies.