Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that the nature of warfare is rapidly evolving, with future conflicts being shaped by artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, drones, quantum computing, and directed-energy weapons. He urged innovators and startups to pioneer cutting-edge defence technologies and make India a global leader in innovation.
“The battlefield has changed. The wars of tomorrow will be fought with algorithms, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence. Drones, anti-drone systems, quantum computing and directed-energy weapons will define the future. We have seen such a demo in Operation Sindoor as well,” said Singh during the ‘Raksha Navachar Samvaad: Interaction with iDEX Startups’, held ahead of the National Conference on Defence Innovation at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on October 7.
He called upon innovators to “think beyond existing solutions” and create technologies that redefine modern warfare. “We must not remain imitators or followers in technology; we must become the creators and standard-setters for the world,” he asserted.
Highlighting the remarkable progress in indigenisation and self-reliance, the Defence Minister said that capital acquisitions from domestic sources had increased from ₹74,000 crore in 2021–22 to ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2024–25, calling it “not merely a statistical change but a change in mindset — from dependence to confidence.”
He noted that under the Government’s Public Procurement Policy, at least 25% of annual procurement is reserved for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), with over 350 items earmarked exclusively for them. “India’s self-reliance in defence has moved from being a slogan to becoming a movement—from policy to practice and from innovation to impact,” he said.
Encouraging defence startups to aim higher, Singh pointed out that while India has over 100 unicorns, none are in the defence sector. “Let the first defence unicorn of India emerge from among you. It will be a matter of pride not only for you but for the entire nation,” he said, reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of government support from ideation to implementation.
Singh lauded the collective efforts of innovators that led to record-breaking defence production worth ₹1.5 lakh crore and exports exceeding ₹23,000 crore in 2024–25. “You are the architects of a new India that believes in designing, developing and producing for itself,” he said.
He described the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, launched in 2018, as a transformational step that has democratized defence innovation. “When iDEX was launched, the idea was simple yet powerful — to connect India’s youth talent with the technological needs of the Armed Forces. In just seven years, more than 650 iDEX winners have emerged, and prototype procurements worth over ₹3,000 crore have been ensured. This marks a revolution in India’s defence innovation landscape,” Singh said.
Before iDEX, Indian talent was making global contributions in IT, telecom, and space but remained underutilised in defence. “Through iDEX, we ensured that India’s talent works for India’s security. Today, this initiative is shaping the future of Indian defence manufacturing,” he added.
The Defence Minister highlighted several reforms to strengthen the startup and MSME ecosystem, including provisions in the upcoming Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025, which will offer assured orders for five years, extendable by another five. Reforms in the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) are also underway to simplify processes, accelerate trials, and ensure assured procurement for innovative solutions.
“Through iDEX, the Technology Development Fund, the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme, and self-certification provisions, we are building a framework where innovation is encouraged, supported, and scaled. Our goal is to make India not just a defence manufacturer but a defence innovator for the world,” he said.
Commending iDEX winners such as Refi M. Fiber and Gravity Systems—honoured for their contributions to Operation Sindoor—he said their innovations are earning global recognition. “It is a matter of great pride when our soldiers salute innovation born on India’s own soil,” he said, noting that Indian startups are now showcasing technologies at global platforms such as the Dubai Airshow 2025.
Singh said the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is partnering with the Department of Science & Technology, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, and major financial institutions to provide end-to-end support for startups.
“Our objective is to build an ecosystem where every idea gets the opportunity to grow into a viable product, every prototype scales into production, and every innovation contributes to India’s defence preparedness,” he emphasised.
He reiterated that defence manufacturing under Aatmanirbhar Bharat has become one of the most promising sectors for private investment, R&D, and employment generation, calling a strong indigenous defence industry both a strategic necessity and an economic multiplier.
“The defence innovation journey of India is moving steadily from concept to creation and from vision to victory,” he said, reaffirming that India’s defence startup ecosystem will play a decisive role in shaping the nation’s secure and self-reliant future.
The event, organised by iDEX under the Department of Defence Production (DDP), also featured an exhibition showcasing innovations under iDEX and ADITI, along with panel discussions on Scaling Defence Startups, Bridging Innovation and Production, and Accelerating Aatmanirbharta through R&D Collaboration.
The conference was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, senior officials of the MoD, Armed Forces representatives, innovators, and industry leaders.