India–UK Defence Vision 2035: Strategic and Technological Cooperation
The India–UK Defence Vision 2035 builds a long-term defence partnership focused on co-design, co-development, and co-production of advanced technologies, aligning with India’s self-reliance and innovation goals.
Context
The launch of the India–UK Defence Vision 2035 in 2025 marks a major milestone in bilateral defence cooperation. It reflects the deepening strategic alignment between New Delhi and London amid a rapidly evolving global security landscape.
With Europe significantly increasing its defence spending after the Ukraine conflict and India accelerating its Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) drive, both nations are seeking to transition from transactional engagement to long-term strategic collaboration.
What Is the India–UK Defence Vision 2035?
The India–UK Defence Vision 2035, unveiled alongside the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) in July 2025, is a forward-looking framework that seeks to institutionalise long-term cooperation in co-design, co-development, and co-production of cutting-edge defence technologies.
At its core, the vision aims to elevate the bilateral defence partnership from a buyer–seller relationship to one of strategic technological interdependence, ensuring mutual growth and security.
The framework is built around a 10-year Defence Industrial Roadmap, focusing on four key technological domains that will shape the next generation of military capabilities:
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Jet Engine Technology: Collaborative R&D for advanced aero-engine systems that could power India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and enhance the UK’s future combat aircraft programmes.
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Naval Propulsion: Development of next-generation propulsion systems for submarines and surface vessels to strengthen maritime capabilities.
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Underwater Systems: Joint innovation in sonar, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and anti-submarine warfare technologies.
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Directed-Energy Weapons (DEWs): Research into laser and microwave-based weapon systems for future battlefield applications.
Together, these domains signify a shift towards shared innovation, greater interoperability, and integrated industrial development.
Key Objectives of Defence Vision 2035
The Defence Vision 2035 represents a multifaceted initiative that aims to deepen trust, expand technological collaboration, and align industrial capabilities. The primary objectives include:
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Enhancing Defence Innovation Ecosystems:
Through the Defence Partnership–India (DP-I) framework, both nations will foster joint research and development (R&D), facilitate start-up collaboration, and promote innovation under the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative. -
Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience:
The roadmap seeks to reduce external dependencies by encouraging localised production and supply chain diversification, aligning closely with India’s Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020. -
Building Interoperability:
Regular joint military exercises—such as KONKAN (Navy), Ajeya Warrior (Army), and Indradhanush (Air Force)—will enhance operational synergy and readiness between the two forces. -
Advancing Maritime Security Cooperation:
Under the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI), both nations plan to establish a Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence, promoting coordination in maritime domain awareness, anti-piracy, and freedom of navigation.
These measures aim to solidify defence cooperation as a durable pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the United Kingdom.
Why Vision 2035 Matters for India
For India, the Defence Vision 2035 serves as both a strategic enabler and an industrial catalyst, supporting its pursuit of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and technology.
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Technological Self-Reliance:
By co-developing advanced systems such as jet engines, underwater sensors, and directed-energy platforms, India gains access to critical technologies that are often restricted under traditional defence agreements. This complements India’s indigenous programmes like the AMCA and TEJAS Mk2. -
Industrial Growth and Global Value Chains:
The roadmap enables India to integrate more deeply into global defence value chains, boosting exports and stimulating high-skilled employment in domestic industries. -
Maritime and Aerospace Modernisation:
Collaborative work on naval propulsion and next-generation fighter technologies aligns with India’s strategic goals of modernising its Navy and Air Force, ensuring readiness for future conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region. -
Strategic Autonomy:
The framework allows India to maintain strategic independence while accessing advanced Western technologies, balancing relations with other partners such as the United States, France, and Russia.
Way Forward
To fully realise the potential of the Defence Vision 2035, both nations must adopt a balanced technology-sharing framework, ensure reciprocal access to defence markets, and streamline export control regulations.
The initiative must align closely with India’s Make in India, iDEX, and Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 to ensure equitable industrial participation. Joint funding for R&D, start-up incubators, and academic–industrial partnerships will also be crucial to sustaining momentum.
By promoting innovation-driven defence cooperation, Vision 2035 has the potential to redefine the India–UK strategic partnership, fostering an ecosystem of shared security, industrial strength, and global influence.
Conclusion
The India–UK Defence Vision 2035 represents a historic step towards a technologically advanced, mutually beneficial, and strategically enduring partnership.
As global defence dynamics evolve, this framework not only enhances India’s self-reliance but also cements its position as a trusted and capable security partner in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
In an era marked by geopolitical uncertainty, the Vision 2035 initiative is a clear statement of intent — that both India and the United Kingdom are ready to co-create the future of global defence innovation.
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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH
