MARCH 26: Senior officials of the Department of Defence Production (DoDP), led by Secretary (DP) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, recently conducted brainstorming sessions with over 50 start-ups and MSMEs to address key challenges, identify opportunities, and support these ventures in accelerating innovation within the defence sector. The deliberations took place at South Block in New Delhi on March 24 & 25, 2025.
The session was designed to foster a deeper understanding of the critical issues faced by start-ups and MSMEs engaged in defence-related innovations. These ventures, which are a part of the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, brought forward their insights on several emerging technology domains. Topics discussed included cutting-edge fields such as Space Technologies, Quantum Technologies, Electronic Warfare, Drones, Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML), Radar Technologies, Cyber Security, and Advanced Materials. These areas hold significant promise not only for the defence sector but also for their applications in the civil sector, reflecting the dual-use potential of these technologies.
The brainstorming sessions offered a platform for collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the industry, where both sides exchanged valuable insights into how start-ups and MSMEs can further contribute to the nation’s defence capabilities. The discussions were particularly focused on how technological advancements could address the evolving needs of India’s armed forces while also boosting India’s self-reliance in the sector.
Shri Sanjeev Kumar thanked the participants for their valuable contributions, emphasizing that such sessions play a crucial role in helping the Ministry understand the perspectives of industry players, especially those involved in new and innovative technology start-ups. He highlighted that the insights garnered from these discussions would be instrumental in refining policies and procedures to foster greater participation from start-ups in deep tech innovation. The aim is to create an ecosystem that encourages and supports emerging defence technologies while ensuring that these innovations align with the country’s strategic and defence objectives.
Secretary (Defence Production) reiterated that the discussions would help fine-tune the existing frameworks, ensuring that the policies are more aligned with the challenges and opportunities faced by MSMEs and start-ups working in high-tech domains. He further emphasized that these initiatives are a key part of India’s drive to increase defence innovation and self-reliance, positioning the nation as a global leader in defence technology development.
The deliberations are expected to pave the way for enhanced industry-government collaboration and accelerate the pace of innovation in India’s defence sector, creating new opportunities for growth, security, and technological advancement.
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