Italy and India deepen defence ties with new industry pact

Rome: The Italian Federation of Aerospace, Defence, and Security Companies (AIAD) and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) signed a memorandum of understanding to foster industrial collaboration and boost bilateral trade in the defence sector.

Why it matters. The agreement is part of a broader push to deepen strategic ties between Rome and New Delhi

It aligns with one of the ten key priorities in the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029, signed during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro last November.

The pact underlines a shared interest in bolstering interoperability and security cooperation in the Indo-Mediterranean.

Key details. The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the 11th Italy–India Bilateral Committee at Palazzo Guidoni in Rome, organized by Italy’s National Armaments Directorate (DNA).

India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, the Indian Ambassador to Italy, Honourable Vani Rao, and Italy’s Deputy National Armaments Director Luisa Riccardi attended the event.

A central feature of the agreement is creating a joint working group that will meet annually to identify strategic areas of collaboration and facilitate cross-border industrial engagement.

The two sides also pledged to work closely at the governmental level to support a favourable ecosystem for bilateral defence trade.

What they’re saying. “This memorandum of understanding with SIDM representatives marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral cooperation in the defence and security sector,” said Carlo Festucci, Secretary General of AIAD.

“This agreement confirms AIAD’s commitment to fostering ongoing dialogue with international partners and creating new development opportunities for the national industry,” he added.

“India is a solid and reliable partner for us, and we are confident this synergy will mark the beginning of a longer collaboration between players in the sector.”

What we’re watching. The MoU signals AIAD’s commitment to expanding Italy’s footprint in international defence partnerships.

Alongside the signing, AIAD coordinated a series of B2B meetings during the committee session, involving 12 Italian and 12 Indian companies.

These sessions focused on concrete collaboration opportunities across key strategic sectors, laying the groundwork for future joint ventures and industrial alliances.