Garhwal Post Bureau
New Delhi, 19 Mar: “India must work in mission mode to emerge as a global hub of indigenous drone manufacturing in the next few years,” said Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh as he stressed on the urgent need to build a drone production ecosystem to ensure strategic autonomy, enhance defence preparedness and make the country Aatmanirbhar in view of the present geopolitical uncertainties.
He was addressing MSMEs, start-ups, winners of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), private defence companies, innovators, policymakers, and academia at the inaugural session of the two-day National Defence Industries Conclave, organised by the Department of Defence Production on the theme ‘Advanced Manufacturing Technologies’ at Manekshaw Centre, here, today.
The Defence Minister asserted that the ongoing conflicts, ranging from the Russia-Ukraine war to the tensions between Iran & Israel, are proof that drones and counter-drone technologies are destined to play a pivotal role in future warfare, and self-reliance in drone manufacturing is essential not merely at the product level, but at the component level as well. “From the drone’s molds to its software, engines, and batteries, everything must be manufactured in India. This is no easy task. In most countries where drones are manufactured, a significant number of critical components are currently imported from China,” he said.
Rajnath Singh added that, while the creation of any nation’s defence industrial ecosystem relies on the contributions of large industries, MSMEs, start-ups, and innovators, it is equally driven by a clear policy push from the government, tailored to meet the country’s specific defence requirements.
As part of the inaugural session, the Raksha Mantri launched the 14th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC-14) and the 4th edition of ADITI challenges under the iDEX framework. A total of 107 problem statements, including 82 under DISC-14 & 25 under ADITI Challenges 4.0, from the Defence Forces, Indian Coast Guard and Defence Space Agency were launched to promote breakthrough innovations in various domains.
A new initiative featuring 101 innovation challenges from DPSUs was also launched to encourage design-led innovation by MSMEs and start-ups. Rajnath Singh described iDEX and ADITI (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX as game-changer initiatives, through which start-ups, innovators, and MSMEs are provided with the opportunity to develop novel solutions to meet the specific requirements of the Defence Forces.
He emphasised that MSMEs are today actively engaged in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Automation, and Advanced Manufacturing, representing a monumental and positive transformation. He termed it as imperative for the MSMEs and start-ups to embrace and integrate these technologies to ensure the optimal utilisation of their resources and capabilities.
Singh added that ‘integration’ is another crucial concept for the enhancement of MSME capabilities. Highlighting the numerous initiatives undertaken by the Government to strengthen the MSMEs, Raksha Mantri stated that a three-pronged approach has been introduced in this year’s Union Budget to provide MSMEs with Equity, Liquidity, and Professional support, thereby enabling them to emerge as ‘Champion MSMEs’.
He added that the number of MSMEs in the country stood at approximately 4.67 crore in 2012-13, and the figure has reached nearly 08 crore, according to recent data.
“We see start-ups serving as catalysts for social change through their truly unique ideas, while others attain the coveted status of a ‘Unicorn’ within an incredibly short span of time. In the near future, many more will emerge as the next generation of ‘Unicorns’. All that is required is consistent effort, perseverance, and unwavering dedication,” said Singh, urging the MSMEs and start-ups to march forward with zeal & enthusiasm to innovate, embrace new technologies, and realise the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar highlighted that the conclave aims to promote advanced manufacturing technologies, and integration of MSMEs in the production ecosystem and entire value chain starting from design, development and manufacturing. He added that the 200 Problem Statements will give an opportunity to MSMEs, industries, start-ups, young innovators in designing state-of-the-art products and enhance their skills.
During the event, the Raksha Mantri also released 5 publications of Department of Defence Production, which aim to strengthen awareness of policy initiatives, promote defence exports and facilitate ease of doing business for industry stakeholders. These are SAMARTHYA 2026 – A Journey Towards Self-Reliance in Defence Production; Indian Defence Industry – Going Global; Sankalan: A handy guide providing answers to common queries of defence companies and MSMEs; Enabling Provisions to integrate MSMEs in Defence PSU ecosystem; AI Maturity Assessment Model.
Rajnath Singh also inaugurated an exhibition, wherein 20 large defence companies have set up their stalls to showcase their initiatives and programmes for co-opting MSMEs as partners, suppliers and innovators. In addition, 24 Indian and foreign companies are participating in the exhibition to display advanced manufacturing technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, additive manufacturing and smart materials.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat and other senior officials were present on the occasion.
