- India and Thailand deepen strategic defence partnership as New Delhi scripts a record ₹1.78-lakh-crore indigenous defence production milestone
- 10th Defence Dialogue charts expanded cooperation in manufacturing, research, innovation and capability development to reinforce regional security architecture
- Record-breaking defence output and soaring private sector participation underscore the success of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India’s rise as a global defence manufacturing hub
- Both nations reaffirm commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific while expanding military exchanges, maritime cooperation and defence industry partnerships
- Strategic collaboration, technological innovation and export-led growth position India as a trusted security partner and emerging defence industrial powerhouse
- Dialogue in Bangkok signals a new era of defence synergy as India’s manufacturing capabilities complement its expanding geopolitical influence across the Indo-Pacific
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JUNE 17
India’s growing strategic influence in the Indo-Pacific received a significant boost as India and Thailand agreed to deepen collaboration in defence manufacturing, research, innovation and capability development during the 10th Thailand-India Defence Dialogue in Bangkok, even as India scripted history by achieving a record defence production of ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.
The twin developments underscore India’s emergence not only as a regional security partner but also as a rapidly expanding global defence manufacturing powerhouse under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The 10th Thailand-India Defence Dialogue, held in Bangkok on June 16, reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral defence cooperation and exchanged views on evolving regional and global security challenges.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Thailand’s Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence Admiral Nuttapol Diewvanich and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, Shri Satyajit Mohanty.
The two sides held extensive discussions on the evolving security landscape in the Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed the importance of stronger cooperation to promote peace, stability and prosperity across the region.
The delegations reviewed progress in military-to-military engagements, capacity-building initiatives, training exchanges, maritime cooperation and other areas of mutual interest while exploring new opportunities to strengthen bilateral defence ties.
A key outcome of the dialogue was the shared resolve to expand cooperation in defence manufacturing, research, innovation and capability development, paving the way for mutually beneficial partnerships between the defence industries of both countries.
The two countries also exchanged views on collaboration under regional and multilateral defence frameworks, including ASEAN-led mechanisms, reiterating their commitment to addressing common security challenges through dialogue and practical cooperation.
The meeting concluded with discussions on future engagements and a roadmap for expanding bilateral defence cooperation following the elevation of India-Thailand relations to a formal Strategic Partnership in 2025.
India’s Defence Manufacturing Scales Historic Peak
Coinciding with the strategic dialogue, India’s indigenous defence manufacturing sector achieved a historic milestone with annual defence production touching an all-time high of ₹1.78 lakh crore during Financial Year 2025-26.
The achievement represents a 15.6 per cent increase over the previous fiscal year’s production of ₹1.54 lakh crore, a remarkable 110 per cent growth since FY 2020-21, when production stood at ₹84,643 crore, and nearly four times the output recorded in FY 2013-14, which was ₹43,746 crore.
Defence Public Sector Undertakings and other public sector entities accounted for nearly 76 per cent of total production, while the private sector contributed a record 24 per cent, amounting to approximately ₹42,000 crore, reflecting its growing role in India’s defence ecosystem.
The robust expansion in domestic manufacturing has also played a pivotal role in enabling record defence exports of ₹38,424 crore during FY 2025-26, reinforcing India’s position as an emerging global supplier of advanced defence systems.
The achievement reflects the accelerating momentum of the Government’s push towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a post on X, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh credited the inspiring leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking India’s defence production to unprecedented heights and lauded the collective efforts of the Department of Defence Production along with public and private sector enterprises for achieving the landmark.
He highlighted that the sustained upward trajectory reflects the country’s expanding defence industrial base and expressed confidence that continued policy support, increased private sector participation, new initiatives and growing export capabilities would further accelerate the sector’s growth in the years ahead.
Together, the outcomes of the Bangkok dialogue and India’s record manufacturing performance reflect a strategic convergence of diplomacy, industrial capability and technological innovation, strengthening India’s role as a trusted security partner and a leading defence manufacturing nation in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
