Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visits a booth during the National Defense Industries Conclave (NDIC 2026) at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on March 19, 2026. Photo: @DefenceMinIndia via PTI
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (March 19, 2026) called for self-reliance in drone technology and urged industry stakeholders to work in mission mode to establish India as a global hub for indigenous drone manufacturing by 2030.
Addressing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, innovators and policymakers at the National Defense Industries Conclave at the Manekshaw Centre, Mr Singh noted that true self-sufficiency goes beyond assembling drones and must extend to domestic manufacturing of critical components.
“From molds to software, motors and batteries, everything has to be made in India,” he said, pointing out that many countries still depend heavily on imports of key drone components, especially from China.
Referring to ongoing global conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and tensions between Iran and Israel, the defense minister said these developments have established drones and anti-drone systems as decisive tools in modern warfare.
He emphasized that building a robust domestic drone ecosystem is critical to ensuring strategic autonomy and enhancing defense readiness amid geopolitical uncertainties.
Mr Singh also emphasized the importance of collaboration across large industries, SMEs, start-ups and innovators, supported by a clear and focused government policy framework aligned with national security needs. He assured the full support of the Narendra Modi-led government to accelerate this transformation.
During the event, Mr. Singh launched the 14th edition of the Defense India Start-up Challenge (DISC-14) and the fourth edition of ADITI’s Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX) challenges. A total of 107 problem statements were revealed to support innovation across defense domains.
Highlighting the evolving industrial landscape, Mr. Singh noted that MSMEs are increasingly engaging in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, automation and advanced manufacturing. He also highlighted the growing importance of digital twin technology and advanced simulations in improving decision-making and understanding of complex defense systems.
He encouraged start-ups and SMEs to integrate these technologies to maximize efficiency and drive innovation in India’s defense sector.
“In today’s environment, innovations such as automation, artificial intelligence, robotics and additive manufacturing are reshaping the global manufacturing sector. In addition, technologies such as ‘Digital Twins’ and advanced simulation tools are unlocking a range of new possibilities. A ‘Digital Twin’ essentially involves creating a virtual model of a system in the real world. Such technologies enable us to make better decisions. Such technologies enable us to make better decisions.
Published – 19 March 2026 21:08 IST
