India and the United Arab Emirates are taking their defence partnership to a new level as closer strategic cooperation creates fresh opportunities for both countries and strengthens security ties across West Asia.
The two countries signed a Letter of Intent for a bilateral Strategic Defence Partnership in January 2026, followed by a Strategic Framework for Defence Industrial Collaboration in May. While their relationship has traditionally been anchored by trade, investment, energy and the strong Indian community in the UAE, defence cooperation is now emerging as an important pillar of the bilateral partnership.
India is also in discussions with the UAE over the possible sale of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and the Akashteer air-defence system. These discussions reflect the UAE’s growing interest in expanding its defence capabilities and exploring a wider range of trusted partners. For India, they present an opportunity to share its increasingly sophisticated defence technologies with a key strategic partner in the Gulf.
The UAE already operates US-made THAAD and Patriot systems. Indian defence platforms could complement these capabilities while giving Abu Dhabi greater flexibility in building a diversified and resilient defence architecture. Such cooperation could also open the door to deeper collaboration in defence manufacturing, technology and training.
India’s growing stature as a defence exporter adds further momentum to the partnership. Defence exports rose from $7.26 million in 2013-14 to more than $4 billion in the year ending March 2026. The Philippines became the first overseas buyer of BrahMos in 2022, while agreements have since been reached with Vietnam and Indonesia, highlighting the expanding global interest in Indian defence solutions.
For the UAE, closer engagement with India supports its ambition to develop a diversified and technologically advanced defence ecosystem. For India, the partnership offers an opportunity to strengthen its role as a reliable defence technology partner and contribute more substantially to security and stability in the Gulf.
The evolving India-UAE defence relationship therefore represents more than a procurement opportunity. It signals a broader strategic partnership built around technology, industrial cooperation and shared security interests, with the potential to create a stronger and more connected defence framework between India and the Gulf.
