SOURCE: AFI
India and Italy have taken significant steps to deepen their defence and industrial cooperation, with both nations agreeing to negotiate a defence industrial roadmap and other key agreements. These developments were highlighted in the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29, which lays out a vision for bilateral cooperation over the next five years.
The roadmap aims to foster collaboration between the two countries’ defence sectors. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is set to be negotiated between the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and the Italian Industries Federation for Aerospace, Defence, and Security (AIAD). The agreement will serve as a platform to explore joint ventures, technology transfers, and co-development opportunities in the defence sector.
Further, the plan calls for increased interactions between the armed forces of both nations. Italy’s growing interest in the Indo-Pacific region offers an opportunity to enhance interoperability and collaboration through structured agreements to support these engagements.
Another key component of the partnership includes an agreement for mutual protection and exchange of classified information, which will ensure secure communications and collaboration between the two countries’ defence establishments. Additionally, both nations will work on an agreement for cooperation in maritime and port security, a critical area given their shared interest in maintaining open and secure sea lanes.
A significant element of the evolving partnership is Italy’s interest in involving India in the ambitious Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), a sixth-generation jet fighter project currently spearheaded by Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
During a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the inclusion of new partners in the GCAP project. Italy sees India, with its growing aerospace and defence capabilities, as a valuable addition to the consortium.
The GCAP project represents cutting-edge military technology, focusing on advanced stealth, artificial intelligence, and network-centric warfare capabilities. For India, joining the GCAP program could present an opportunity to leapfrog its indigenous fighter jet programs and gain access to advanced technology through a collaborative framework.
The collaboration comes against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving global defence landscape and India’s push for greater self-reliance in defence production. Strengthened ties with Italy could enable India to access critical technologies and foster a more robust domestic defence ecosystem.
For Italy, partnering with India offers access to one of the world’s largest defence markets and strengthens its strategic footprint in the Indo-Pacific region, a key focus of its foreign policy.