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Rajnath Singh to undertake 3-day visit to Germany to finalise defence industrial roadmap
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will travel to Germany for a three-day visit starting April 21, 2026, to finalise a bilateral defence industrial roadmap and discuss co-development of military hardware. The talks will cover defence industrial collaboration, cybersecurity, AI, drones, and UN Peacekeeping training arrangements, with a possible signing and a submarine deal on the horizon. The report notes prior related exchanges, including a 2019 German visit by India’s defence minister and a 2023 Indian visit by Germany’s defence minister.
Why It Matters
The visit aims to deepen defence industrial ties and potentially enable co-development and co-production of military hardware, including a major submarine project, under Make-in-India, signaling a significant strategic partnership between India and Germany.
Timeline
5 Events
Make-in-India and industry engagement planned
April 20, 2026
Singh is expected to interact with key German defence industry representatives to promote joint development and co-production under Make-in-India and review ongoing defence cooperation.
Submarine deal negotiations referenced
April 20, 2026
There is a possibility that the two defence ministers may finalise an inter-governmental agreement to supply six stealth submarines to the Indian Navy; price negotiations for the Euro 5 billion deal with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd are ongoing.
Trip announced to finalise defence industrial roadmap
April 20, 2026
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced a three-day visit to Germany beginning April 21, 2026 (to April 23, 2026) to finalise a bilateral defence industrial roadmap, with discussions on co-development and co-production of military hardware, and focus areas including cyber security, AI and drones; an implementing arrangement for UN Peacekeeping training is anticipated.
Pistorius visits India
June 2023
German defence minister Boris Pistorius visited India in June 2023 and held extensive talks with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Earlier Indian defence minister's visit to Germany
February 2019
Last visit by an Indian defence minister to Germany occurred in February 2019, by Nirmala Sitharaman.