India, South Korea deepen defence industry and logistics ties
New Delhi, Sep 29. India and South Korea reviewed their ongoing cooperation in defence industries and logistics and explored avenues for expanding collaboration in defence production, as the two countries seek to deepen their growing strategic partnership.
The discussions took place at the 10th India-Republic of Korea Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on Defence Industries and Logistics Cooperation in New Delhi on September 29.
The meeting provided a platform for both sides to exchange views on strengthening links between their defence industries and increasing participation in defence production and logistics.
The JCM was co-chaired by Dinesh Mahur, Additional Secretary (Defence Production), Ministry of Defence, and Kim Il Dong, Vice Minister of South Korea’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
South Korean Ambassador to India Seong Ho Lee and Vijay Namdeorao Zade, Joint Secretary (Naval Systems), Department of Defence Production, were among the senior officials attending the meeting.
Defence industry participation
The talks also brought together major defence companies from both countries, highlighting the growing emphasis on industrial cooperation.
India was represented by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), while South Korea’s participating companies included Hanwha Aerospace, Korean Air, Hanwha Systems, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and DS Navcours.
The participation of companies from both sides provided an opportunity to explore potential partnerships and greater industrial engagement in defence manufacturing and logistics.
The discussions are significant as India continues to expand domestic defence production under its ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) initiative while seeking greater integration with the global defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Focus on deeper bilateral cooperation
The two countries have progressively expanded defence cooperation in recent years, including through military exchanges, naval cooperation and growing industrial engagement.
The latest JCM sought to build on this existing framework by identifying additional areas for cooperation in defence production and logistics.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Kim Il Dong called on Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth. During the interaction, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and expanding collaboration between their defence industries and logistics sectors.
The 10th JCM reaffirmed the growing defence relationship between India and South Korea and provided a platform for taking forward cooperation in defence production and logistics.
