India and Belgium Sign Major Defence Agreements on Rockets, Ammunition and Military Technology

India and Belgium Sign Major Defence Agreements on Rockets, Ammunition and Military Technology

New Delhi, September 5, 2026: India and Belgium have signed a series of major defence agreements aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in military production, technology transfer and defence supply chains during Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s state visit to India.

One of the key agreements was signed between Thales Belgium and Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd. (KSSL), a subsidiary of Bharat Forge, for the assembly and eventual full-scale production of Thales’ 70mm (2.75-inch) rocket systems in India.

The rocket systems, available in both unguided and laser-guided variants, are already used by the Indian armed forces on platforms including the Rudra, Prachand and Light Combat Helicopter fleets. Under the agreement, Thales Belgium will provide expertise related to rocket motors, launchers and associated technologies, while KSSL will establish local manufacturing, testing and supply-chain capabilities.

The first fully India-made 70mm rocket is expected to be produced in early 2027. The partnership is designed to strengthen India’s domestic defence manufacturing capacity while providing Thales with an additional production base to meet international demand.

Another major agreement involves Belgian machinery manufacturer New Lachaussée and Tembo Classic Engineering, a subsidiary of Tembo Global Industries, for the establishment of an ammunition production line in India.

The facility will manufacture ammunition in two calibres and provide tooling for two additional calibres, with an estimated annual production capacity of around 100 million rounds. The agreement is valued at approximately €50 million, with deliveries of the production equipment expected during 2028 and 2029. The Belgian company will also provide spare parts, maintenance and modernization support.

The broader defence cooperation package covers several other areas, including naval mine-countermeasure systems, autonomous mine-hunting technology, sensors, electro-optical systems, armoured vehicles, tanks, drones and counter-drone capabilities.

Exail Belgium and Larsen & Toubro are set to cooperate on mine-countermeasure vessels and autonomous maritime mine-hunting systems. Belgium’s John Cockerill Defence will provide a turret for India’s Zorawar light tank, while cooperation involving sensors and electro-optical systems is also being expanded, including fire-control systems for the Arjun main battle tank.

FN Herstal and KSSL are also exploring cooperation on small arms, integrated weapon systems and counter-drone technologies, including the possibility of establishing a joint manufacturing facility in India.

Additional areas of cooperation include marine diesel engines, radar systems, weapons platforms and command-and-control technologies.

India and Belgium have also signed a Letter of Intent establishing a framework for regular cooperation in military training, exchanges of military officers, research and development, seminars, joint exercises and maritime security.

Belgian officials have highlighted the importance of establishing additional production capacity in India for strengthening the European defence supply chain at a time when global demand for rockets, ammunition and other military equipment is rising.

The two countries have also expressed an ambition to double bilateral trade over the next five years, adding an economic dimension to the growing strategic relationship.