Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 15 September 2026 made a strong case for innovation-led self-reliance in India's defence sector, calling technology 'one of the most powerful tools of the 21st century' and warning that the nation which leads it today will hold a strategic edge in tomorrow's warfare. He was speaking at the DRDO-Industry Synergy Meet VIMARSH 2026 in New Delhi, themed 'Varta Se Vikas'.

A New Wave of Defence Startups

Highlighting a structural shift in India's defence ecosystem, Singh pointed to a rising cohort of startups making inroads in drone technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and cyber security. 'These startups are giving a fresh direction to the modern defence landscape in areas like drone technology, artificial intelligence, and cyber security. Today's innovation is tomorrow's military capability,' he said.

Singh also underscored the role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) alongside startups, describing them as 'new flag-bearers of innovation' and crediting them with 'scripting a new story of self-reliance in the defence sector — from research to manufacturing.'

Call for DRDO-Industry-Armed Forces Collaboration

The Defence Minister urged deeper synergy between research institutions such as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), private industry, and the Armed Forces to accelerate technology development. He framed this three-way collaboration as central to achieving the country's Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision in defence.

'The defence sector plays a decisive role in achieving the goal of Developed India 2047. When DRDO's technology, the industrial world's manufacturing capability, the innovation of startups, and the aspirations of the youth unite in one direction, India's military capability will reach new heights. This is the 'Collective Strength' of the 'New India'!' Singh said, in a post on social media platform X.

Technology as Strategic Sovereignty

Singh urged India's youth in particular to cultivate self-confidence and self-reliance, arguing that a country commanding its own technology retains the power to shape its own destiny. 'Whoever leads technology today will gain a strategic advantage in future warfare,' he added.

The remarks come as India accelerates its push to reduce dependence on foreign defence imports and raise the share of domestic procurement. Notably, the government has in recent years introduced positive indigenisation lists barring import of hundreds of defence items, and the defence export target has been progressively raised. The VIMARSH 2026 forum — bringing together DRDO scientists, private industry, and startup founders — reflects that institutional push to connect research with commercial scale.

What Comes Next

The meet is expected to produce actionable recommendations on co-development frameworks between DRDO laboratories and the private sector. Industry stakeholders are likely to press for faster technology transfer timelines and streamlined testing and certification processes. With the defence capital budget for the current fiscal substantially weighted toward domestic procurement, the policy environment for startups and MSMEs in this sector remains broadly supportive.