Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh visited the Federal Republic of Germany from 21 to 23 April 2026. The visit, coming shortly after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s January 2026 visit to India, reflected a broader convergence of strategic interests between the two countries amid an increasingly volatile global security environment. Discussions centred on defence-industrial cooperation, technology transfer, and the implementation of the newly signed Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, signalling a transition in bilateral ties from traditional defence trade to long-term industrial collaboration. Along with the defence industrial roadmap, the ‘Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Training’ was inked and exchanged during the meeting.[1]

India and Germany marked 25 years of their Strategic Partnership in 2025. The bilateral ties have gained renewed momentum in the backdrop of evolving geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts.[2] Russia’s war in Ukraine, instability in West Asia, disruptions to global supply chains, and uncertainty surrounding transatlantic security arrangements have compelled European states to reassess defence preparedness and industrial resilience. New Delhi and Berlin see each other as essential partners in navigating the new fragments of the unravelling global order.[3]

Against this backdrop, Germany’s focus on defence-industrial revitalisation, rearmament, and greater engagement in the Indo-Pacific has converged with India’s drive for defence indigenisation under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. As a result, the bilateral relationship is gradually moving beyond a buyer-seller model towards a partnership centred on co-development, co-production, technology transfer and supply-chain resilience. This shift has been institutionalised through the Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, which seeks to expand collaboration in naval systems, ammunition production, defence electronics and emerging technologies. The roadmap also complements Germany’s ‘Focus on India’[4] strategy and the broader India–European Union Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), providing a framework for long-term cooperation.[5]

Contours of Cooperation

Germany’s evolving security outlook, shaped by the Russia–Ukraine conflict, concerns over European defence preparedness, and uncertainties in transatlantic security commitments, has prompted Berlin to strengthen its defence-industrial base, diversify strategic partnerships, and build resilient supply chains.[6] This approach was reflected in Germany’s 2025 National Security and Defence Industry Strategy, which emphasised greater strategic autonomy while maintaining its commitments within NATO.[7] At the same time, its growing interest in the Indo-Pacific and maritime security has increased the importance of partnerships with key regional actors such as India.

For India, cooperation with Germany supports the broader objectives of defence indigenisation, technological advancement, and supply chain diversification under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. The India–Germany Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap signed in 2026 builds upon Germany’s 2024 ‘Focus on India’ strategy and the Joint Declaration of Intent on Bilateral Defence Industrial Cooperation.[8] The roadmap seeks to expand collaboration across naval systems, ammunition production, defence electronics and emerging technologies.

Naval and Underwater Capabilities

Naval cooperation has emerged as the most advanced component of India–Germany defence relations. The centrepiece of this engagement is Project-75(I), India’s programme to acquire six advanced conventional submarines equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems under the Strategic Partnership Model.[9] The partnership between Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders........

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