India, South Korea Hold 10th Joint Meeting to Deepen Defence Industry and Logistics Ties
India and South Korea seek to deepen defence industry ties
India and the Republic of Korea have held the 10th meeting of their Joint Committee on Defence Industries and Logistics Cooperation, with both sides reviewing existing collaboration and discussing ways to expand their defence partnership.
The meeting took place in New Delhi on September 29, 2026, bringing together senior officials and representatives of major defence companies from both countries. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the two countries’ defence industries, increasing engagement in defence production and improving logistics collaboration.
The meeting comes as India continues to place greater emphasis on expanding domestic defence manufacturing and building international partnerships that can support production, technology and supply-chain capabilities.
The Joint Committee Meeting, or JCM, serves as a platform for India and South Korea to review progress in their defence relationship and identify areas where cooperation can be taken further.
The 10th JCM was co-chaired by Dinesh Mahur, Additional Secretary (Defence Production) in India’s Ministry of Defence, and Kim Il Dong, Vice Minister of the Republic of Korea’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration, known as DAPA.
Senior officials from both countries took part in the discussions. Seong Ho Lee, South Korea’s Ambassador to India, and Dr Vijay Namdeorao Zade, Joint Secretary (Naval Systems) in India’s Department of Defence Production, were also present.
Defence companies join government-level discussions
An important feature of this year’s meeting was the participation of defence companies from both countries.
India was represented by Larsen & Toubro and Bharat Earth Movers Limited, while South Korea’s participating companies included Hanwha Aerospace, Korean Air, Hanwha Systems, Korea Aerospace Industries and DS Navcours.
The participation of industry representatives highlights the focus on moving beyond government-to-government discussions towards greater industrial engagement.
For India, cooperation with overseas defence companies can form part of efforts to strengthen domestic production capabilities and develop industrial partnerships. South Korea, meanwhile, has developed a substantial defence manufacturing sector covering areas including aerospace, naval systems, electronics and other military technologies.
The meeting therefore provided an opportunity for companies from both sides to discuss potential areas of collaboration, although the government statement did not announce any specific new defence contracts or production agreements arising from the talks.
Instead, the discussions centred on enhancing cooperation in defence industries and logistics and creating greater engagement between the two countries’ industrial sectors.
K9 Vajra Contract Signing ceremony in New Delhi. (File Photo – April 2025)
Logistics cooperation remains a key area
Alongside defence production, logistics was another major focus of the meeting.
Defence logistics covers the movement, supply, maintenance and support of military equipment and systems. Strong logistics arrangements can be important to the effectiveness of defence cooperation because they support the availability and long-term maintenance of military platforms and equipment.
By continuing discussions on logistics alongside industrial cooperation, India and South Korea are looking at the broader relationship between defence manufacturing and the support systems needed to sustain military capabilities.
The two countries also exchanged views on ways to further strengthen their wider defence ties.
Senior-level engagement continues
The defence discussions continued outside the formal JCM as Kim Il Dong met India’s junior defence minister Sanjay Seth on the sidelines of the meeting.
During their interaction, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation. They also emphasised the importance of deeper collaboration in defence industries and logistics.
Such senior-level engagement provides an additional channel for the two countries to discuss their defence relationship alongside the more detailed work carried out through the Joint Committee.
The latest meeting was the 10th edition of the bilateral forum, underlining the continuity of institutional engagement between India and South Korea on defence matters.
READ: BonV Aero Supplies 45 UAVs to Indian Army’s Eastern Command for Tactical Logistics
A broader India-South Korea defence partnership
The outcome of the 10th JCM reflects the continuing effort by India and South Korea to build closer defence-industry links.
The emphasis on production, industrial participation and logistics suggests that the relationship is not limited to traditional defence dialogue. Both countries are also seeking greater engagement between their respective industrial ecosystems.
For India, such cooperation aligns with its broader focus on strengthening defence manufacturing and expanding industrial participation. For South Korea, engagement with India’s large defence market and manufacturing base provides opportunities for deeper industrial interaction.
The government statement did not specify particular projects, investment commitments or new procurement deals resulting from the meeting. However, it described the JCM as an important platform for advancing bilateral cooperation.
The 10th meeting therefore represents another step in the institutional development of India-South Korea defence relations, with both sides signalling an intention to expand cooperation in defence production and logistics.
Don’t Miss: India, Australia, Japan and US Strengthen Maritime Coordination Through Quad-at-Sea Observer Mission
Also Read: Tata Projects, MDS Aero Support Sign MoU to Develop Aero-Engine Testing Infrastructure in India