Defence Industry Collaboration and Policy Initiatives

Overview

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced policy initiatives to enhance the collaboration between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the industry, particularly focusing on MSMEs and deep-tech start-ups in defence research, development, and manufacturing.

Key Initiatives and Announcements

• Collaboration aims to cover the entire technology value chain: research, design, testing, certification, and manufacturing.
• Introduction of policies to lower technical and financial barriers for MSMEs and start-ups.
• Framework provides for: 
  • Direct funding and incubation support.
  • Dedicated access to DRDO testing facilities.
  • Secure sharing of DRDO-developed software source codes with licensed industries.
• Nine Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToTs) handed to 13 manufacturing partners to boost commercial production of advanced systems.
• Strategic MoUs with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB) to enhance industry outreach.
• Contract with Quality Council of India for version 2.0 of the System for Advanced Manufacturing Assessment and Rating (SAMAR), to benchmark manufacturing maturity.

Strategic Goals

• Achieving self-reliance in critical technologies.
• Increasing indigenous content and expanding defence exports.
• Strengthening presence in global supply chains.
• Government measures supporting this ecosystem include Positive Indigenisation Lists, Make in India, iDEX, ADITI, and a 25% allocation of the defence R&D budget to the private sector.

Industry Engagement and Technology Development

Defence Secretary and DRDO chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh highlighted the VIMARSH 2026 event's goal to transition from a transactional to a collaborative technology-development model, with over 2,300 technology transfers made available to over 1,100 industries.

• Focus on technology absorption and Development-cum-Production Partner models.
• Faster induction of indigenous technologies into the armed forces was discussed.
• Technical roadmaps were presented, covering aspects like aeronautical systems, missiles, armaments, microelectronics, and naval systems.