Atmanirbharta in Defence seminar in Mumbai on May 11 eyes ₹10 lakh crore MSME push
Synopsis
With ₹10 lakh crore in MSME defence opportunities on the table and Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan making his first public appearance as the next Navy Chief, Mumbai's Atmanirbharta in Defence seminar on 11 May is more than a policy event — it is a signal of how Operation Sindoor has accelerated India's self-reliance agenda.
Key Takeaways
A Mumbai-based think tank will host 'Atmanirbharta in Defence: Opportunities for MSMEs' on 11 May 2025 , supported by the Indian Navy .
The seminar highlights a nearly ₹10 lakh crore business opportunity for Indian MSMEs in defence manufacturing over the next decade.
Naval procurement opportunities alone are estimated at nearly ₹3 lakh crore over the next ten years.
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan will make his first public appearance since being appointed the next Chief of the Indian Navy.
The event commemorates one year of Operation Sindoor and features senior speakers including Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit , Vice Admiral Atul Anand , and Admiral R Hari Kumar .
Maharashtra Minister Adv.
Ashish Shelar will inaugurate the seminar as Chief Guest.
A Mumbai-based strategic think tank will host a seminar titled 'Atmanirbharta in Defence: Opportunities for MSMEs' on 11 May 2025 in Mumbai, spotlighting a nearly ₹10 lakh crore business opportunity projected for Indian MSMEs over the next decade. Supported by the Indian Navy, the event adopts the theme 'Make in India for the World' and commemorates the completion of one year of Operation Sindoor.
What the Seminar Covers
The seminar aims to bring together top defence policymakers, senior military leadership, government officials, defence manufacturers, financial institutions, and industry leaders to deliberate on India's growing push towards self-reliance and indigenisation in the defence sector. Sessions will offer MSMEs actionable insights into upcoming defence procurement opportunities and guidance on integrating into the procurement ecosystems of leading global manufacturers.
A special publication on 'Atmanirbharta in Defence' will also be released during the event, according to a statement issued by the office of Maharashtra Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and Electronics, Adv. Ashish Shelar, who will inaugurate the seminar as Chief Guest and deliver the opening address.
Key Speakers and Sessions
The inaugural keynote address will be delivered by Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Staff, Integrated Defence Staff. A high-powered panel discussion featuring senior military leaders and defence industry executives will follow, including Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, focusing on strengthening India's indigenous defence ecosystem and integrating Indian MSMEs into global supply chains.
Deependra Kushwaha, Indian Administrative Service, Development Commissioner Industries and Chairman of the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation, will present Maharashtra's industrial growth and investment roadmap for defence manufacturing under the 'Invest in Maharashtra' initiative. A strategic presentation on the Ministry of Defence's indigenisation roadmap will be delivered by Vice Admiral Atul Anand.
A dedicated session on naval indigenisation and innovation will be led by Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Sharma, focusing on future naval procurement opportunities estimated at nearly ₹3 lakh crore over the next decade. The seminar will conclude with a session on growth capital and financing for defence MSMEs, featuring Admiral R Hari Kumar and senior representatives from asset management and investment sectors.
Vice Admiral Swaminathan's First Public Appearance
The seminar will also feature a special keynote address by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, who will be making his first public appearance following his appointment as the next Chief of the Indian Navy — adding significant institutional weight to the event.
Operation Sindoor as the Backdrop
The Director of the organising think tank noted that the success of Operation Sindoor demonstrated the growing strength of indigenous defence capabilities, powered by platforms such as BrahMos cruise missiles, Nagastra loitering munitions, Akashteer air defence systems, advanced anti-drone technologies, and indigenised combat aircraft platforms.
Point of View
Organisers are leveraging a moment of national pride to accelerate a structural economic argument: that India's defence indigenisation is no longer just a strategic goal but a commercial pipeline. The ₹10 lakh crore figure for MSMEs is ambitious, and the real question is whether procurement processes — historically slow and opaque — will be reformed enough to let smaller firms actually compete. Vice Admiral Swaminathan's first public appearance here, rather than at a formal naval ceremony, signals that the new Navy leadership is invested in the MSME narrative. Whether that translates into faster vendor onboarding and simplified procurement remains to be seen.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Atmanirbharta in Defence seminar in Mumbai?
It is a seminar titled 'Atmanirbharta in Defence: Opportunities for MSMEs', hosted by a Mumbai-based strategic think tank on 11 May 2025 and supported by the Indian Navy. The event focuses on the nearly ₹10 lakh crore business opportunity expected for Indian MSMEs in defence manufacturing over the next decade.
Why is the seminar being held now?
The seminar commemorates the completion of one year of Operation Sindoor and aims to capitalise on the momentum generated by India's indigenised defence platforms to channel MSME participation into the defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Who are the key speakers at the seminar?
Key speakers include Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Admiral Atul Anand, Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Sharma, Admiral R Hari Kumar, and Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, who will make his first public appearance since being named the next Chief of the Indian Navy.
What is the naval procurement opportunity highlighted at the seminar?
Future naval procurement opportunities are estimated at nearly ₹3 lakh crore over the next decade, with a dedicated session on naval indigenisation and innovation to be led by Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Sharma.
How does Operation Sindoor relate to the seminar's theme?
Operation Sindoor demonstrated the effectiveness of indigenously developed platforms such as BrahMos cruise missiles, Nagastra loitering munitions, and Akashteer air defence systems, reinforcing the case for deeper MSME integration into India's defence supply chains.
