India-Australia Defense Cooperation: Transitioning from Talk to Action
The latest discussions on defense cooperation between India and Australia signal a significant shift, focusing on creating real partnerships in the defense sector. Major General Abhay Dayal (Retd.), a former Indian Army officer, emphasized that it’s time to move from discussions to concrete actions. He stressed the importance of collaborating effectively within the defense industrial framework during a recent online event hosted by CUTS International.
This webinar was a follow-up to the India-Australia Defence Industry Business Roundtable held in Sydney back in October 2025. The event had important leaders, including India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australia’s Assistant Minister for Defence, Peter Khalil, leading the discussions.
Captain Sarabjeet Singh Parmar (Retd.), a prominent figure with the Council for Strategic and Defense Research, highlighted the essential role of maritime cooperation. He pointed out that as global trade patterns change, understanding maritime dynamics has become crucial. This cooperation can help both countries secure vital trade routes and manage risks in the Indian Ocean.
Participants also noted that the Indo-Pacific region is undergoing significant changes, including competition among nations, restructured supply chains, and rapid technological advancements. The traditional roles in defense partnerships—where one country primarily sells to another—are becoming outdated. Instead, India and Australia are beginning to see the value of jointly developing technologies and producing defense systems, especially in areas like undersea operations, cyber security, aerospace, and critical tech.
Chris Mills, Director of the UNSW Defence Research Institute, remarked that the importance of the India-Australia partnership is increasing rapidly. As the security situation in the Indo-Pacific worsens, both countries need to turn policies into real capabilities quicker than before.
Ameet Shah, CEO of Jirra Enterprise Space, highlighted the significance of intellectual property (IP) in defense collaboration. He argued that to compete and create a sustainable defense industry, both nations must ensure strong IP protections amidst today’s complex technological landscape.
Throughout the conversation, key themes emerged. Experts discussed the need for resilient supply chains, the benefits of India’s manufacturing capacity combined with Australia’s advanced research capabilities, and the establishment of frameworks to support ongoing collaboration.
In conclusion, the discussions reinforced that India and Australia are more than just temporary partners; they are strategic allies focused on maintaining regional stability. As both nations seek to diversify their defense partnerships and reduce reliance on other countries, fostering deeper industrial ties is crucial for building strong defense capabilities and enhancing security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Anjali Shekhawat, a Senior Research Associate at CUTS International, wrapped up the event, acknowledging the importance of these dialogues in shaping the future of the Australia-India defense partnership. The aim is to bring together experts and leaders to find actionable strategies for cooperation.
