India and Belgium have significantly expanded defence cooperation with a series of agreements covering naval mine-countermeasure systems, ammunition production, 70mm rockets, light-tank turrets, electro-optics and counter-drone technologies. The agreements were announced during Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever's visit to New Delhi, his country's first prime ministerial visit to India in two decades, as both sides sought to broaden bilateral ties beyond traditional trade and diamond links.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and De Wever backed greater military exchanges, training cooperation and defence-industrial partnerships during their talks on Thursday. Modi described defence and security cooperation as a key pillar of the relationship and noted that the industry agreements could create new opportunities for defence co-development and co-production. The move brings Belgium's specialised defence capabilities together with India's manufacturing capacity and growing focus on domestic defence production.

Among the major agreements is a partnership between Larsen & Toubro and Belgian autonomous-systems company Exail for naval mine-countermeasure capabilities. Exail is expected to provide autonomous systems designed to detect, identify and neutralise naval mines under India's mine-countermeasure vessel programme. The initial requirement covers 12 vessels, with the potential requirement extending to 59. The Navy has lacked a dedicated minesweeper capability since INS Kozhikode was decommissioned in April 2019.

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Belgian defence company John Cockerill Defense has also partnered L&T for turrets for India's Zorawar light tank, which is being developed for high-altitude operations along the Line of Actual Control. Separately, Thales Belgium and Kalyani Strategic Systems will assemble 70mm rockets in India, with the first fully India-manufactured rocket expected in early 2027. Other agreements involve ammunition manufacturing, including a proposed production facility supplied by Belgian specialist Lachaussée with capacity for around 100 million rounds annually, as well as additional arrangements involving small arms and counter-drone equipment.

The cooperation extends to electro-optical systems and unmanned technologies. Belgian company OIP Sensor Systems is partnering India Optel Ltd on electro-optical equipment, including a fire-control system for the Arjun Mk II. Belgian firm Sol1 has partnered DGVK Enterprises on loitering and interceptor drone systems, while Krishna Industries and Pitagone are establishing a joint venture focused on mobile anti-vehicle barriers. Industry bodies from both countries have also signed an agreement aimed at strengthening defence-sector cooperation.

At the government level, India and Belgium have agreed to deepen staff talks, officer exchanges, military education, training, joint exercises and cooperation in maritime security and emerging technologies. Belgium will appoint a defence attaché in New Delhi, while India will post a resident defence attaché in Brussels. A Belgian Navy frigate, LEOPOLD I, is scheduled to visit India in November. The two countries are also exploring a joint working group on counter-terrorism, while the wider partnership includes an effort to double bilateral trade over the next five years through an Investment Fast-Track Mechanism.

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