New Delhi, September 15, 2026: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has unveiled a series of policy initiatives aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and India’s private defence industry, with a particular focus on MSMEs and deep-tech start-ups.
The initiatives were announced during ‘VIMARSH 2026’, the DRDO-Industry Synergy Meet, held in New Delhi under the theme ‘Varta se Vikas’. The measures seek to reduce technical and financial barriers for smaller enterprises, expand access to DRDO infrastructure and accelerate the commercialisation of indigenous defence technologies.
New framework to support MSMEs and deep-tech start-ups
A comprehensive framework was introduced to facilitate greater participation of MSMEs and deep-tech start-ups in defence R&D and manufacturing. It provides for direct funding and incubation support, along with dedicated access to DRDO testing facilities.
A separate standardised and secure framework for sharing DRDO-developed software source codes with licensee industries was also launched. The initiative is expected to support software-driven defence capabilities and help industries address technology obsolescence more effectively.
Nine Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToTs) were handed over to 13 manufacturing partners, enabling them to undertake commercial production of advanced defence systems.
Strategic MoUs were also exchanged with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB) to widen industry outreach and encourage participation from enterprises at the grassroots level.
DRDO additionally signed a contract with the Quality Council of India for System for Advance Manufacturing Assessment and Rating (SAMAR) 2.0, designed to assess and benchmark the manufacturing maturity of domestic defence companies.
Rajnath Singh calls for deeper industry integration
Addressing the gathering, Rajnath Singh said collaboration between DRDO and industry must extend beyond manufacturing to encompass the entire defence technology value chain, including research, design, testing, certification and production.
He stressed that MSMEs and start-ups should become integral components of India’s defence supply chain alongside large industrial players.
“DRDO possesses knowledge and technology, the industry has scale and manufacturing capability, start-ups bring innovation and agility, and the youth hold the dream of a New India,” Singh said, highlighting the importance of bringing these strengths together.
The Defence Minister linked the initiatives to the broader vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat, stating that India’s development goal includes economic strength, technological self-reliance, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and strategic security.
By 2047, he said, India should achieve self-reliance in critical technologies, substantially increase indigenous content, expand defence exports and establish a stronger presence in global supply chains.
Focus on emerging technologies
Singh highlighted reforms such as Positive Indigenisation Lists, Make in India, iDEX and ADITI, along with the allocation of 25% of the defence R&D budget to the private sector.
He said the Technology Development Fund is supporting start-ups, while iDEX has created an innovation ecosystem where emerging companies can develop solutions based on operational requirements of the armed forces.
The new initiatives place particular emphasis on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonics, directed energy, drones and cyber security.
Singh described MSMEs as a critical strength of India’s defence ecosystem and urged them to focus on quality, timely delivery, innovation and global standards while building partnerships with larger companies.
Over 2,300 technologies transferred to industry
Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh said VIMARSH 2026 is intended to move the defence ecosystem away from a conventional buyer-seller relationship towards a collaborative and co-created technology model.
He highlighted the scale of technology transfer achieved in recent years, stating that more than 2,300 technology transfers have been handed over to over 1,100 industries. Technologies related to around 50 DRDO-developed missile systems have also been made available to industry.
A book titled Defence Systems for Resilient Bharat – Advancing Aatmanirbharta in Defence, documenting major DRDO systems developed between 2014 and 2026, was released during the event. Guidelines for Human Resource Outsourcing Service Contracts in DRDO were also unveiled.
The event brought together more than 250 defence industry leaders, industry representatives, senior civil and military officials and DRDO scientists, providing a platform to align indigenous research, private-sector manufacturing and emerging deep-tech capabilities.