How is the Dubai Airshow 2025 strengthening India-UAE cooperation in defence technology?
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to deepen their defence cooperation during a high-level meeting held at the Dubai Airshow 2025 on Monday. Sanjay Seth, India’s Minister of State for Defence, met Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, the UAE’s Minister of State for Defence Affairs, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties.
According to India’s Defence Ministry, both leaders agreed to hold regular meetings, participate in each other’s defence events, and expand training collaborations. Seth also encouraged the UAE to explore joint research programmes, co-development of equipment, and co-production of defence technologies, areas that could significantly boost cooperation between the two countries.
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri @SethSanjayMP held a bilateral meeting with his UAE counterpart Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, on the sidelines of the Dubai Air Show 2025. He underlined stronger engagement through institutional mechanisms, defence exhibitions, training cooperation and… pic.twitter.com/dubs1wKdbX
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) November 17, 2025
The Indian minister also inaugurated the BRAHMOS missile stall at the airshow. BRAHMOS, India’s supersonic cruise missile system, is one of the major attractions at this year’s event. The missile can be launched from multiple platforms, including ships, submarines, mobile land-based launchers, and aircraft, and is designed to hit both land and sea-based targets. The Indian Consulate in Dubai highlighted the strong interest the system is drawing from global visitors.
Seth also visited the Vista Startup Zone at the airshow, where he interacted with 15 winners of the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) programme. These Indian startups are showcasing cutting-edge aerospace technologies, innovative defence solutions, and next-generation systems that reflect India’s growing capabilities in indigenous innovation.
In addition, Seth inaugurated the India Pavilion at the Dubai Airshow. The pavilion highlights India’s progress in defence manufacturing and technology, featuring indigenous fighter jet systems, advanced aerospace platforms, and future-ready defence startups. It reflects the government’s focus on promoting self-reliance under the "Make in India" and "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" initiatives.
Seth is leading a senior Indian delegation to the airshow, which includes officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Department of Defence Production, and representatives from the Indian Armed Forces.
India’s active participation at the show highlights its growing role in the global defence and aerospace industry, while the meeting between Sanjay Seth and Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei signals a stronger India-UAE partnership in the years ahead.