Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister of India.
New Delhi, March 19, 2026 — Calling for a decisive push in defence innovation amid an increasingly volatile global security landscape, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday urged the country to transform itself into a global hub for drone manufacturing within the next few years.
Speaking at the National Defence Industries Conclave 2026 in New Delhi, Singh underscored that building a robust indigenous drone ecosystem is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for national security, self-reliance, and preparedness.
Drones at the centre of future warfare
Framing his remarks against ongoing global conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine War and escalating tensions in West Asia, Singh said modern warfare is being rapidly reshaped by unmanned systems and counter-drone technologies.
“Drones are destined to play a pivotal role in future warfare,” he said, stressing that India must not depend on external suppliers for critical components. He highlighted that even leading drone-producing nations remain reliant on imports—particularly from China—for essential parts.
India, he argued, must go beyond assembling drones and achieve complete self-sufficiency—from molds and engines to software and batteries.
Push for indigenous ecosystem
The Defence Minister emphasized that a strong defence manufacturing ecosystem requires collaboration across large industries, MSMEs, start-ups, innovators, and policymakers, backed by consistent government support. He reiterated the commitment of the government led by Narendra Modi to make India a global leader in defence manufacturing.
Central to this push is the expansion of innovation frameworks like the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, which has emerged as a key platform connecting innovators with defence requirements.
New innovation challenges unveiled
At the conclave, Singh launched two major programmes aimed at accelerating defence innovation:
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The 14th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC-14)
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The fourth edition of ADITI (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX)
Together, these initiatives introduced 107 problem statements from the armed forces, the Indian Coast Guard, and the Defence Space Agency.
In addition, a new set of 101 innovation challenges from Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) was unveiled, bringing the total number of problem statements to over 200. These challenges are designed to encourage MSMEs and start-ups to develop cutting-edge technologies, with DPSUs offering funding, mentorship, testing facilities, and potential integration into supply chains.
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Crowing defence innovation ecosystem
Singh described iDEX and ADITI as “game-changers” in India’s defence innovation landscape. Since iDEX’s launch in 2018, the ecosystem has seen rapid expansion:
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676 start-ups, MSMEs, and innovators onboarded
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548 contracts signed
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566 challenges launched
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58 prototypes cleared for procurement worth ₹3,853 crore
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45 procurement contracts signed worth ₹2,326 crore
“These figures demonstrate that innovation is gradually materialising into tangible products and technologies,” Singh said, noting the increasing role of start-ups and MSMEs in strengthening India’s defence capabilities.
IdeaForge’s Zolt UAV.
MSMEs key to economic and technological growth
Highlighting the broader economic dimension, Singh said MSMEs are not only central to defence manufacturing but also to India’s overall economic growth. He pointed out that the number of MSMEs has grown from about 4.67 crore in 2012–13 to nearly 8 crore today, reflecting a surge in entrepreneurship.
He urged small businesses to adopt emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, additive manufacturing, and digital twin systems—tools that are redefining global manufacturing.
“These technologies allow better understanding of complex systems and more informed decision-making,” he said.
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Industry 4.0 and integration push
Singh also stressed the importance of both horizontal and vertical integration among MSMEs:
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Horizontal integration: collaboration across sectors to share knowledge
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Vertical integration: partnerships with large industries and adoption of advanced technologies
He said true innovation ecosystems emerge when both forms of integration work together, enabling MSMEs to transition toward Industry 4.0.
Policy reforms and institutional support
The Defence Minister highlighted a three-pronged strategy introduced in the latest Union Budget to support MSMEs through equity, liquidity, and professional assistance. He also noted efforts to simplify regulatory processes and integrate small enterprises into the formal economy through digital platforms.
Senior officials at the conclave, including Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, outlined reforms undertaken during 2025, termed the “Year of Reforms,” including streamlined approvals and improved access to testing infrastructure.
A digital industry database, Srijan Deep, has also been created, listing over 40,000 defence-sector enterprises to strengthen research and development capabilities.
Publications and exhibition showcase
During the event, Singh released five key publications aimed at strengthening policy awareness, boosting exports, and improving ease of doing business in the defence sector. These included strategic documents on self-reliance, global expansion of the Indian defence industry, MSME integration, and artificial intelligence adoption.
An exhibition held alongside the conclave featured participation from 20 major defence companies and 24 Indian and international firms, showcasing advanced manufacturing technologies such as AI, robotics, automation, and smart materials.
Top defence leadership in attendance
The conclave was attended by India’s top military and defence leadership, including Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, Chief of Naval Staff Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Army Staff Upendra Dwivedi, and DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat.
A vision tied to self-reliance
Concluding his address, Singh called on India’s innovators and entrepreneurs to seize the moment, emphasizing that consistent effort and technological adoption will be critical to achieving the twin national goals of self-reliance and developed nation status.
“With perseverance and dedication, today’s start-ups can become tomorrow’s unicorns,” he said, urging stakeholders to contribute actively toward building an “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” and a “Viksit Bharat.”
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