India-Germany defence ties: Rajnath Singh invites German firms, outlines 2047 vision

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (April 23, 2026) invited German industry leaders to collaborate with India in the co-production and co-development of defence technologies, emphasising that partnerships built on reliability and shared interests are essential amid rising global uncertainties.

Addressing Indian and German defence leaders at the Defence Investors Summit in Germany, Singh highlighted shifting geopolitical dynamics, supply chain disruptions, and rapid technological advancements as key drivers for stronger bilateral defence cooperation.

“Partnerships based on reliability and shared interests are indispensable amid increasing global uncertainties,” he said, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.

He noted that countries are reassessing their dependencies and seeking trusted partnerships for greater resilience. Singh underscored India’s large market, skilled workforce, and growing industrial ecosystem as compelling reasons for engagement.

“India offers an expanding market, skilled workforce, and an evolving industrial ecosystem with stability, predictability, and commitment to the rule of law. It is not a short-term opportunity but a long-term strategic proposition,” he added.

Reinforcing India’s self-reliance push under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Defence Minister said Indian organisations are actively seeking partnerships with German companies in areas such as advanced radar systems, AI-enabled unmanned aerial systems, sensor technologies, and underwater systems.

He also outlined India’s long-term vision of building a developed nation by 2047 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, backed by strong macroeconomic fundamentals and policy continuity.

Explaining India’s pursuit of self-reliance, Singh stressed that it is collaborative rather than inward-looking. “India’s self-reliance pursuit is not inward-looking; we see it as the ability to design, develop, and produce with trusted partners,” he said, adding that India is transitioning from a buyer of defence equipment to a co-designer and co-producer.

He further emphasised that strengthening the defence industrial ecosystem would not only enhance national security but also boost economic resilience and global competitiveness.

During the visit, Singh toured a submarine manufacturing facility in Kiel. This showcased the growing maritime ties between the two nations. He also held bilateral talks with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in Berlin, where both sides discussed avenues to deepen strategic defence cooperation.

A Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and an arrangement on UN peacekeeping training were also finalised.