Australia recognises India’s rising capabilities in high-end defence manufacturing, signalling greater future cooperation with Indian defence firms. While Australia traditionally relied on Western systems, it now views India as a reliable partner in defence production. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s upcoming two-day visit to Australia, on October 9-10, highlights the expanding defence partnership, vital for stability in the Indo-Pacific region. During his visit, Singh will meet Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles in Sydney and observe live air-to-air refuelling exercises with the RAAF KC-30A tanker.
Strategic discussions are expected to include bilateral and regional issues, with ongoing efforts to develop a Maritime Security Road Map for collaboration in the Indian Ocean. Both nations are working on a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, marking five years of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a period of significant progress across trade, education, sports, and renewable energy.
The partnership strengthening is evident, with defence activities tripling over a decade, from 11 in 2014 to 33 in 2024. The countries’ cooperation enhances strategic autonomy and interoperability, exemplified by the Air-to-Air Refuelling Arrangement, India’s first with any partner.
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Australia supports India’s defence industry ambitions; its first Defence Trade Mission to India is visiting Chennai and New Delhi, with a focus on C5ISR firms. Military cooperation is deepening, with India participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre for the first time and engaging in joint exercises such as Kakadu, Milan, Cope India, and Tarang Shakti. According to Australian High Commissioner Philip Green, the visit presents a prime opportunity to enhance strategic dialogue, information sharing, and complex exercises, thereby ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
