India and UAE Strengthen Defence Ties at Dubai Air Show 2025

During the Dubai Air Show 2025, Indian Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth held discussions with his United Arab Emirates counterpart Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei. This meeting occurred on 17 November 2025, amidst a backdrop of increasing defence cooperation between the two nations.

Both officials acknowledged the importance of regular meetings and collaborative defence events. They also emphasised the need for training cooperation and encouraged the exploration of joint research, co-development, and co-production initiatives to deepen their defence partnership. The Indian Ministry of Defence shared these updates via a post on the social media platform X.

Minister Sanjay Seth inaugurated the BRAHMOS stall at the event, which features the supersonic cruise missile capable of being deployed from ships, mobile launchers, submarines, and aircraft. The missile is designed for precision targeting of both land and maritime objectives. The stall has attracted considerable attention, highlighting India's advancements in missile technology.

In addition, Seth inaugurated the India Pavilion, showcasing indigenous fighter jet technology and next-generation defence startups. The pavilion serves as a representation of India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence production.

The Dubai Air Show is an important biennial event, taking place from 17 to 21 November and hosted at Al Maktoum International Airport. It is expected to attract over 148,000 industry professionals and features more than 1,500 exhibitors from around the globe, including major aerospace companies such as Airbus, Lockheed Martin, and Bombardier.

Separately, Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari announced that the Indian Air Force anticipates significant interest from international buyers for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. He stated that the Tejas aircraft and the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team were sent to the air show at the request of UAE authorities, underscoring the growing defence collaboration between India and the UAE.

The Air Marshal highlighted that the Tejas had previously participated in the Dubai Air Show and had garnered substantial attention. He expressed optimism that the current display would meet high expectations from both local and international visitors, showcasing the aircraft's capabilities.

India plans to procure nearly 200 Tejas aircraft, a move that Air Marshal Tiwari indicated would send a strong message to international partners regarding India's increasing defence capabilities.

Overall, the Dubai Air Show 2025 serves as a significant platform for India and the UAE to reinforce their defence ties, showcasing both nations' commitment to innovation and collaboration in the aerospace sector.