India and South Africa Strengthen Defence Cooperation at 9th JDC in Johannesburg
Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh led the Indian delegation to South Africa for the 9th Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meeting held in Johannesburg on June 23–24, 2025. The South African delegation was headed by Dr. Thobekile Gamede, Acting Secretary for Defence.
The two-day meeting commenced with opening remarks by both co-chairs who set the agenda and provided strategic direction to the two sub-committees functioning under the JDC. These included the Defence Policy and Military Cooperation sub-committee and the Defence Acquisition, Production, Research and Development sub-committee.
Both delegations presented the capabilities of their respective defence industries and explored opportunities for future collaboration. Defence Secretary Singh reiterated India’s strong historic ties with South Africa and emphasized India’s growing prowess in defence manufacturing and exports.
A major outcome of the meeting was the exchange of two new agreements in the field of submarine cooperation, marking a significant step in strategic maritime collaboration.
The sub-committees submitted their respective findings and recommendations to the full JDC, identifying key areas for future joint projects, technology sharing, and strategic alignment.
The Indian delegation included senior officials from the Department of Defence, Department of Defence Production, the Armed Forces, and the Indian High Commission in South Africa.
India and South Africa share a rich historical bond, rooted in their common struggle against colonialism. Defence ties date back to 1996 with the first MoU on ‘Cooperation in the field of Defence Equipment’, later upgraded in 2000 to deepen collaboration.
Source: PIB
