Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production), India.
India–Kenya Defence Exhibition in Nairobi: Nairobi / New Delhi, January 19, 2026— India is set to deepen its defence industrial engagement with Africa as a high-level Indian delegation, led by Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, visits Kenya from January 19 to 21, 2026, to participate in the third India–Kenya Defence Exhibition and Seminar. The event will be held in Nairobi on January 19 under the Brand India initiative of the Department of Defence Production.
The four-member delegation will represent India’s rapidly expanding defence manufacturing and export ecosystem, reflecting New Delhi’s strategic focus on promoting indigenous defence capabilities and strengthening partnerships with friendly foreign nations. The exhibition is expected to serve as a key platform for showcasing India’s defence industrial strengths and exploring avenues for long-term cooperation with Kenya and the wider African region.
A total of 20 Indian defence companies, drawn from both the public and private sectors, will participate in the exhibition. These companies will display a broad spectrum of defence products and services, ranging from platforms and weapon systems to advanced electronics, surveillance solutions, and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities. The showcase underscores India’s progress in defence indigenisation under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and its growing footprint as a reliable defence exporter.
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The High Commissioner of India to Kenya, Dr. Adarsh Swaika, will also attend the event, highlighting the strong diplomatic and strategic support behind India’s defence engagement with Kenya. Officials said the exhibition and seminar are designed not only to promote Indian products but also to encourage dialogue between industry stakeholders, policymakers, and defence forces from both countries.
During the visit, Sanjeev Kumar is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with senior officials of the Government of Kenya and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). These discussions will focus on strengthening defence industrial cooperation, promoting India’s indigenous manufacturing capabilities, and identifying opportunities for collaboration in areas such as capacity building, technology transfer, training, and sustainment support.
KSSL’s Mounted Artillery Gun (MArG).
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The India–Kenya Defence Exhibition and Seminar has emerged as an important mechanism for advancing defence ties between the two countries. Kenya is seen as a key partner in East Africa, and India has been steadily expanding its defence diplomacy across the continent, offering cost-effective, high-quality defence solutions tailored to local requirements.
Officials noted that the visit aligns with the Government of India’s broader vision to boost defence exports and position India as a trusted partner in global defence supply chains. By engaging directly with Kenyan decision-makers and defence leadership, India aims to translate industrial capability into practical cooperation that enhances mutual security interests.
The Nairobi event is expected to further consolidate the India–Kenya defence partnership, opening new avenues for collaboration while reinforcing India’s role as an emerging hub of defence manufacturing and innovation on the global stage.