Defence cooperation has emerged as one of the strongest pillars of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both countries steadily expanding collaboration across the military, maritime security, defence industry and strategic dialogues.
The partnership received a significant boost during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia in 2014, when the two sides agreed to institutionalise regular Defence Ministers’ meetings, enhance service-to-service engagements and conduct regular maritime exercises. Since then, defence ties have evolved into a comprehensive partnership encompassing operational cooperation, capacity building and defence industrial collaboration.
Another milestone was achieved in March 2022 with the conclusion of the Implementing Arrangement for Cross-deployment of Maritime Patrol Aircraft, enhancing interoperability and facilitating closer maritime surveillance cooperation between the two countries.
High-level defence engagements have remained frequent. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles in July 2024. He also met Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in November 2024, where both sides reviewed the progress of bilateral defence cooperation.
Military exercises have become a defining feature of the partnership. The bilateral naval exercise AUSINDEX has grown in scale over the years, with the 2019 edition witnessing Australia’s largest-ever naval participation. The latest edition was held in Sydney in August 2023, reaffirming the importance of maritime interoperability.
The joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND has also gained momentum. The 2023 edition, conducted in Western Australia, marked the first time that all three services of the Indian Armed Forces participated together. The 2024 edition was held in Pune from November 8 to 21, further strengthening joint operational capabilities.
The two countries have consistently participated in each other’s major military exercises. Australia joined India’s multinational naval exercise MILAN in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, while Indian naval ships participated in Australia’s biennial Kakadu Exercise in 2018, 2022 and 2024. The Indian Air Force participated in Exercise Pitch Black in 2018, 2022 and 2024, reflecting growing air force cooperation.
India and Australia have also worked closely in multilateral military engagements. Both countries participated in the French-led La Pérouse naval exercise in 2021 alongside the United States and Japan. India joined Exercise Talisman Sabre as an observer in 2021 and 2023, while Australian forces participated in Exercise Malabar 2024 after India deployed two naval ships and a P-8I maritime patrol aircraft during the 2023 edition hosted in Sydney.
Cooperation has expanded beyond traditional military exercises. The Indian Air Force participated in Exercise Southern Discovery supporting Antarctic operations in February 2024, while India also joined Exercise Southern Jackaroo as an observer in June 2024. In another first, Australian combat aircraft participated in India’s multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti in September 2024.
Regular institutional dialogue has strengthened strategic coordination between the armed forces. The 8th Defence Policy Talks were held in Canberra in July 2023, followed by Naval Talks in New Delhi in May 2024, Army-to-Army Staff Talks in October 2024, and the 11th Indian Air Force-Royal Australian Air Force Air Staff Talks in November 2024.
Senior military leadership exchanges have also intensified. India’s Chief of Naval Staff visited Australia in 2022, followed by the Chief of Army Staff’s visit in April 2023. The Chief of the Australian Navy visited India in April 2024, while Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan visited Australia in March 2025, where he held discussions with Australia’s Chief of Defence Force, David Johnston, focusing on military training, defence diplomacy and regional security cooperation.
Maritime security cooperation has also expanded through trilateral initiatives. The second India-Australia-Indonesia Trilateral Maritime Security Workshop was held in Kochi in May 2024, highlighting the shared commitment of the three countries towards ensuring a secure and stable Indo-Pacific.
Defence industrial cooperation is emerging as another important pillar of bilateral engagement. The third India-Australia Joint Working Group on Research, Industry and Materiel Cooperation met in New Delhi in August 2023. In April 2024, a delegation representing Indian defence shipyards visited Australia’s major naval shipbuilding facilities in Adelaide and Perth to explore opportunities for industrial collaboration.
Indian defence public sector enterprises showcased indigenous capabilities at the Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference 2024 in Perth, while Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth led India’s participation at Australia’s Land Forces Defence Exposition 2024 in Melbourne. Australia also participated in Aero India 2025, while an Indian delegation attended Avalon Australian International Airshow 2025, reflecting growing defence industrial engagement.
People-to-people links within the armed forces have also been strengthened through the General Rawat India-Australia Young Defence Officers’ Exchange Programme, announced in 2022. The inaugural edition was held in India in 2023, bringing together 15 officers each from the Indian and Australian armed forces, while the second edition was hosted by Australia in July 2024.
