The Dubai Airshow 2025 has become a key platform for advancing defence collaboration between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). High-level talks between Sanjay Seth, India’s Minister of State for Defence, and Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, the UAE’s Minister of State for Defence Affairs, highlighted a growing partnership in defence technology, training, and industrial cooperation.

The leaders agreed to institutionalise regular interactions and joint participation in defence exhibitions and exercises, establishing a continuous dialogue to ensure practical implementation of collaborative defence initiatives. This ongoing engagement will streamline coordination on technology sharing, logistical support, and operational training exchanges.

A key area of discussion was the potential for joint research, co-development, and co-production of military systems. India urged the UAE to collaborate on developing next-generation technologies, particularly in areas like unmanned platforms, precision-guided munitions, and electronic warfare—sectors in which both nations are heavily investing.

Such collaboration supports India’s "Make in India" and "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" initiatives, while aligning with the UAE’s “Operation 300bn” strategy aimed at fostering industrial self-reliance. Joint manufacturing ventures could position both countries as hubs for defence innovation and export-oriented production.

India’s participation at the airshow was showcased through the India Pavilion, which was inaugurated by Sanjay Seth. The pavilion highlighted India’s advancements in defence manufacturing and aerospace technology, featuring indigenous fighter jets, advanced avionics, unmanned aerial vehicles, and next-generation platform designs. The pavilion also spotlighted India’s cutting-edge BRAHMOS missile system, a joint development with Russia, which generated significant interest from international delegations. The missile’s versatility across air, land, and sea platforms underscored India’s growing capabilities in precision strike technologies, which are of interest to Middle Eastern partners.

Seth’s visit to the Vista Startup Zone also highlighted the role of Indian startups in the defence sector. Through the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) program, 15 Indian startups presented technologies in areas such as advanced avionics, AI-powered surveillance, and composite aerospace materials. These innovations reflect India’s push to integrate private sector expertise with national defence objectives. This also opens doors for Emirati investors and industries to collaborate with Indian startups, particularly in areas like autonomous systems and next-gen propulsion technologies, creating commercial benefits for both nations and boosting their defence industrial capacities.

India and the UAE's defence relations have expanded beyond traditional trade to include cooperation in maritime security, counter-terrorism, and intelligence sharing. The discussions at the Dubai Airshow 2025 signal a step forward in blending these strategic areas with technological collaboration. By leveraging India’s defence R&D capabilities and the UAE’s industrial and investment strengths, both countries are set to create a new model for South-South defence cooperation. This partnership also reinforces their roles as regional security pillars in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia.

The Indian delegation, consisting of senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Department of Defence Production, underscores New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. The event has also set the stage for further policy-level dialogues on expanding operational cooperation, including joint exercises and technology transfer. India’s active participation at the Airshow highlights its growing influence in the global defence and aerospace sectors, while deepening its partnership with the UAE in pursuit of regional stability and technology-driven modernization.