The Indo-German defence partnership is poised for qualitative deepening in 2026, catalysed by German Chancellor Merz’s proposed visit to India in January, the momentum generated by the India-Germany High Defence Committee meeting held in New Delhi in November 2025, and a broader convergence of interests in the Indo-Pacific.
While differences persist over the Russia-Ukraine conflict, both sides appear increasingly determined to insulate defence cooperation from political divergence, anchoring it instead in shared strategic, industrial, and technological interests.
Strategic Context: From Normative Alignment to Hard Security
India and Germany are celebrating 25 years of their Strategic Partnership, but defence and security cooperation has emerged as its most dynamic pillar only in the past decade.
Germany’s recalibration of its foreign and security policy after the Ukraine war, marked by its Zeitenwende (German for “turning point” or “epochal shift), has pushed Berlin to seek credible security partners beyond Europe.
India, for its part, has steadily expanded defence engagement with middle and major powers to diversify its supplier base, reduce dependence on any single source, and strengthen its role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The November 2025 High Defence Committee meeting, co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Germany’s State Secretary for Defence Jens Plötner, underscored this shift. The emphasis on co-development, co-production, military-to-military exchanges, and niche technologies signalled a move beyond declaratory cooperation towards practical outcomes.
Chancellor Metz’s January 2026 visit is therefore expected to give political imprimatur to this evolving defence trajectory, aligning strategic intent with industrial execution.
Military-to-Military Engagement: Building Interoperability
One of the most visible indicators of growing trust is Germany’s participation in India’s major multinational exercises in 2026. Exercise MILAN, India’s flagship naval engagement, and TARANG SHAKTI, its first multinational air combat exercise, will offer German forces sustained operational exposure to the Indian military environment.
These engagements serve multiple purposes. Operationally, they enhance interoperability and confidence-building. Strategically, they signal Germany’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific as a theatre of consequence, reinforcing Berlin’s Indo-Pacific Guidelines.
Politically, they reassure New Delhi that Germany’s regional engagement is not merely rhetorical but backed by deployable capability.
The planned visit of a German Navy frigate and support vessel to India in early 2026, as part of Germany’s Indo-Pacific deployment, further strengthens maritime cooperation and complements India’s MAHASAGAR vision of collective security and growth across regions. Normally, they also exercise with Indian ships around the Gulf of Aden in anti-piracy manoeuvres.
Industrial Collaboration: From Buyer–Seller to Co-Creators
The most transformative element of Indo-German defence ties in 2026 is likely to be industrial collaboration. Both sides have explicitly acknowledged the need to connect defence industries, particularly in niche and emerging technologies.
The Project P-75(I) submarine programme stands out as a potential flagship collaboration. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), with its advanced Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, is a leading contender.
If concluded, this project would represent one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated defence manufacturing initiatives undertaken in India with a European partner.
Beyond platforms, it would embed German design philosophy, quality standards, and systems integration practices into India’s defence industrial ecosystem.
Parallel progress in aerospace technologies, such as the HAL-HENSOLDT agreement on LiDAR-based obstacle-avoidance systems with the transfer of hardware and software IPR, reflects Germany’s growing comfort with meaningful technology transfer to India.
Rheinmetall’s proposal to establish ammunition manufacturing facilities in Maharashtra also aligns well with India’s “Make in India” and export ambitions. For that, the blacklisting of the company would need to be lifted.
Together, these initiatives suggest that 2026 could mark a shift from transactional defence trade to long-term industrial interdependence.
Strategic Alignment in the Indo-Pacific
Germany increasingly views India as indispensable to a stable Indo-Pacific order. India’s role as a first responder in humanitarian assistance, maritime security provider, and capacity builder in the IOR aligns well with German objectives of upholding a rules-based international system without overt militarisation.
The German acknowledgment of India’s MAHASAGAR vision during the High Defence Committee meeting is significant.
It indicates an acceptance of India’s leadership role in the IOR and creates space for practical cooperation in maritime domain awareness, logistics, and disaster response—areas where Germany possesses advanced capabilities but seeks reliable regional partners.
Overcoming Differences
The most delicate aspect of Indo-German relations remains their differing approaches to Russia. Germany, as a frontline European state affected by the Ukraine conflict, has adopted a sharply critical stance towards Moscow.
India, by contrast, continues to pursue strategic autonomy, maintaining defence and energy ties with Russia while advocating dialogue and diplomacy.
Yet, 2026 is likely to witness further compartmentalisation of this divergence. Germany is increasingly recognising that India’s Russia policy is shaped by legacy dependencies, continental security concerns, and the imperative to balance China. India, in turn, has shown sensitivity to European security anxieties without compromising its core interests.
Defence cooperation provides a constructive pathway to bridge this gap indirectly. By expanding industrial and technological collaboration with Germany, India is gradually diversifying away from legacy Russian systems. Germany benefits by anchoring India more firmly within a network of trusted partners without forcing alignment on every geopolitical issue.
Chancellor Merz’s visit is expected to reinforce this pragmatic understanding: agreement to disagree on Russia, while advancing cooperation where interests clearly converge.
Challenges & Constraints
Despite positive momentum, several challenges remain. Regulatory complexities and export control procedures on the German side can slow implementation.
Technology transfer will require careful balancing of IPR protection with India’s demand for sovereignty over systems. Industrial compatibility—standards, certification, and timelines—must be addressed early to avoid cost overruns and delays, particularly in large projects such as P-75(I).
Geopolitical volatility in Europe and the Indo-Pacific could also divert political attention and resources. Sustained political backing from both capitals will therefore be essential.
Outlook for 2026
Overall, the trajectory of the Indo-German defence partnership in 2026 appears robust and forward-looking. Chancellor Merz’s visit is likely to consolidate political trust, the High Defence Committee framework provides institutional momentum, and expanding industrial collaboration offers tangible benefits to both sides.
By consciously managing differences over Russia through pragmatism rather than pressure, India and Germany are demonstrating a mature strategic relationship that recognises diversity of perspectives while investing in shared security outcomes.
If current trends hold, 2026 could well be remembered as the year Indo-German defence ties moved decisively from promise to performance.
- Gurjit Singh is a former Ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN, and the African Union Chair, CII Task Force on Trilateral Cooperation in Africa, Professor, IIT Indore.
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