Defence Secretary calls on U.K. industry to explore partnerships with Indian defence start ups

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh meets U.K. NSA Jonathan Powell during his visit in London. April 16, 2025.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh urged U.K. companies to explore partnerships with Indian defence start-ups and invited investment in India’s dedicated defence corridors during a two-day visit to London. The visit followed discussions in Rome aimed at enhancing defence cooperation with Italy, particularly in technology and armament production.

Mr. Singh was in London from April 16-17, 2025, where he co-chaired the 24th India-U.K. Defence Consultative Group (DCG) meeting with David Williams, Permanent Under Secretary of State for Defence, the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

“Both sides reviewed the evolving regional and global geopolitical landscape and reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening defence ties,” the Ministry stated. The discussions were held within the framework of the India-U.K. comprehensive strategic partnership announced in 2021 and the Roadmap 2030.

During the visit, Mr. Singh also met the U.K.’s National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell. Their talks focused on expanding tri-service military engagements and strengthening collaboration between the defence industries of the two nations, according to the statement.

Addressing the participants at the India-U.K. Defence Industry Roundtable organised by the UK India Business Council, Mr. Singh highlighted the potential of Indian start-ups to deliver cost-effective solutions in areas such as naval systems, drones, surveillance, space defence sector, and aviation. “He invited U.K. firms to invest in India’s dedicated Defence Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, where they can take advantage of state-level incentives and a rapidly evolving defence manufacturing ecosystem,” the Ministry added. Mr. Singh noted that India is collaborating with the U.K. Ministry of Defence to develop an industrial cooperation roadmap in this regard.

Prior to his U.K. visit, Mr. Singh was in Rome from April 14-15, where he co-chaired the 11th India-Italy Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meeting. He also held talks with Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. “During the meeting, the two sides held productive discussions aimed at further enhancing defence cooperation as a key pillar of India-Italy strategic partnership,” the Ministry said.

The JDC meeting covered defence, security, and industrial cooperation, including maritime cooperation and information sharing, with an emphasis on the Trans Regional Maritime Network. The security situation in the Red Sea and the Western Indian Ocean Region was also discussed.

On the sidelines of the JDC, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and the Italian Companies for Aerospace, Defence and Security (AIAD) to foster closer cooperation between the nations’ defence industries. A delegation from SIDM accompanied the Defence Secretary to promote business-to-business connections.