India and Italy have significantly advanced their defence cooperation, underscoring a shared commitment to enhancing security and technological collaboration. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh's visit to Italy indicates the upsurge in bilateral relations, which is also set to foster greater momentum in military-industrial production together.

During his two-day visit to Rome, Defence Secretary co-chaired the 11th India-Italy annual bilateral Joint Defence Committee meeting with his Italian counterpart, Secretary General of Defence Luisa Riccardi. Both declared a closer defence collaboration, especially in technology and armament production, which concluded on April 15, 2025.

During his two-day visit to Rome, Defence Secretary co-chaired the 11th India-Italy annual bilateral Joint Defence Committee meeting with his Italian counterpart, Secretary General of Defence Luisa Riccardi

In maritime, India and Italy held crucial talks for information-sharing agreements on the Trans Regional Maritime Network (T-RMN). India has been a part of T-RMN since 2018. The significance lies in seeking and sharing details of ships ferrying through the Indian Ocean Region, to protect the transshipments. This is also in the spirit of protecting the international rules of the sea, which have seen multiple violations and threats by rogue entities, including China. The situation in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean Region also came up during the discussions.

In Italy, the aerospace, defence, and security industry is somehow considered critical by the government, insofar as it directly relates to the state's sovereignty and enables it to pursue an autonomous defence policy.

The Italian defence industry is characterised by several key platforms, systems, and equipment, with companies like Leonardo and Fincantieri leading in various sectors. Leonardo dominates in areas like defence electronics, aircraft, helicopters, and naval artillery, while Fincantieri is a major supplier of warships. Other key areas include military land vehicles, missiles, and missile defence systems.

Defence Cooperation Agreement

Indo-Italian bilateral relations have surged recently. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of Italy, Antonio Tajani, visited India in April 2025. While addressing the 'Italy-India Business, Science and Technology Forum', he highlighted the strategic partnership plan signed by both governments. "India is an important country for stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Stability is crucial to strengthen the trade," Tajani said, indicating the closer maritime collaboration underway between the two countries.

In October 2023, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto signed a pivotal agreement in Rome, focusing on co-development and co-production of military platforms

The intensity of the bilateral relationship is much visible with the level of talks and leadership on multiple issues, especially in defence and technology.

"Today, Italy and India are closer than ever, our bilateral trade is over $14 billion, and we want to invest more in India, export more to India, and attract more Indian investments in Italy," the Deputy Prime Minister exemplified.

In October 2023, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto signed a pivotal agreement in Rome, focusing on co-development and co-production of military platforms. The agreement includes various domains, including research and development, military education, maritime domain awareness, and the establishment of joint ventures. A notable aspect of the discussions was the emphasis on integrating Indian startups with Italian defence companies, promoting innovation and collaboration in the defence sector.

Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029

Building on this foundation, in November 2024, Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Giorgia Meloni unveiled a four-year Joint Strategic Action Plan. This plan outlines initiatives to negotiate a defence industrial roadmap, explore co-production and co-development opportunities, and enhance cooperation in counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime infrastructure. The roadmap aims to facilitate deeper industrial collaboration between the two nations.

Building on this foundation, in November 2024, Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Giorgia Meloni unveiled a four-year Joint Strategic Action Plan

Industrial Collaboration and Technology Transfer

In his keynote address during the India-Italy Defence Industry Roundtable, the Defence Secretary shared his views on how the Indian defence industry has witnessed significant changes, particularly in the past few years, through progressive reforms.

These reforms, the Secretary stated, have been marked by the creation of a conducive environment for the growth of the Indian industry through transparency, predictability, and ease of doing business.

The evolving India-Italy defence partnership reflects a shared vision for enhanced security and technological advancement

A significant development in this partnership is the involvement of the Italian defence conglomerate Leonardo. Following the lifting of the ban on AgustaWestland, a subsidiary of Leonardo, India has re-engaged with the company to explore joint projects and integrate Indian vendors into Leonardo's global supply chains. This initiative is expected to bolster supply chain resilience and foster mutual growth.

Additionally, in November 2023, Merlinhawk Aerospace of India and Italy's Vega Composites established a joint venture, Merlinhawk Composites and Engineering Private Limited, in Tamil Nadu's defence corridor. This venture focuses on advanced composite materials for aerospace, marine, land, and railway sectors, aiming to develop design expertise and manufacturing capabilities within India.

The evolving India-Italy defence partnership reflects a shared vision for enhanced security and technological advancement. Through strategic agreements and industrial collaborations, both nations are poised to strengthen their defence capabilities and contribute to regional and global stability.

 

Manish Kumar Jha is a Consulting & Contributing Editor for SP's Aviation, SP's Land Forces and SP's Naval Forces and a security expert. He writes on national security, military technology, strategic affairs & policies.