New Delhi, March 19: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday asserted that India must work in mission mode to emerge as a global hub of indigenous drone manufacturing in the coming years, especially amid prevailing geopolitical instability.
Addressing the two-day National Defence Industries Conclave 2026, organised by the Department of Defence Production at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, he emphasised that building a robust domestic drone production ecosystem is essential for strategic autonomy, defence preparedness and Aatmanirbharta.
Referring to ongoing global conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and tensions in West Asia, the Raksha Mantri highlighted the growing importance of drones and counter-drone systems in modern warfare. He stressed that self-reliance must extend beyond final products to critical components such as engines, batteries, moulds and software, noting that many countries currently depend on imports for key drone components.
During the inaugural session, Shri Rajnath Singh launched the 14th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC-14) and the fourth edition of ADITI (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX) under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework.
A total of 107 problem statements — 82 under DISC-14 and 25 under ADITI 4.0 — were unveiled from the Armed Forces, Indian Coast Guard and Defence Space Agency to drive breakthrough innovation. Additionally, 101 innovation challenges from Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) were announced to promote design-led innovation by MSMEs and start-ups, with funding, mentorship and testing support from DPSUs.
Highlighting the progress of iDEX, the Defence minister said that since its inception in 2018, around 676 start-ups, MSMEs and individual innovators have joined the defence innovation ecosystem. So far, 548 contracts have been signed and 566 challenges launched.
Of these, 58 prototypes valued at approximately ₹3,853 crore have received procurement clearance, while 45 procurement contracts worth nearly ₹2,326 crore have already been signed — reflecting the steady conversion of innovation into tangible defence capabilities.
Rajnath Singh underscored the critical role of MSMEs in driving economic growth and strengthening India’s defence manufacturing base. He called on them to adopt advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Automation, Additive Manufacturing and Digital Twin systems to optimise productivity and competitiveness.
He emphasised the need for both horizontal integration (collaboration among MSMEs across sectors) and vertical integration (partnerships with large industries and technology leaders) to build a robust innovation ecosystem aligned with Industry 4.0 standards.
Referring to reforms undertaken since 2014, the Raksha Mantri noted the expansion of MSMEs from about 4.67 crore units in 2012–13 to nearly 8 crore today, attributing the growth to sustained policy support, digital platforms such as Udyam Portal and financial measures announced in the Union Budget to strengthen equity, liquidity and professional support.
On the occasion, Rajnath Singh released five key publications of the Department of Defence Production, including SAMARTHYA 2026 – A Journey Towards Self-Reliance in Defence Production and Indian Defence Industry – Going Global, aimed at boosting awareness, exports and ease of doing business.
He also inaugurated an exhibition featuring 20 large defence companies and 24 Indian and foreign firms showcasing advanced manufacturing technologies.
Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat were among the senior officials present at the conclave.
The Raksha Mantri urged MSMEs and start-ups to innovate with zeal and dedication, stating that sustained effort and technological adoption will help realise the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat. (PIB)
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