Raksha Mantri Urges iDEX Innovators to Lead India’s Defence Tech Revolution

Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh on Tuesday highlighted the changing nature of warfare and urged Indian innovators to develop cutting-edge technologies to make India a global defence technology leader. Speaking at ‘Raksha Navachar Samvaad: Interaction with iDEX Startups’ ahead of the National Conference at Vigyan Bhawan, Shri Singh said, “The battlefield has changed. The wars of tomorrow will be fought with algorithms, autonomous systems, and AI. Drones, anti-drone systems, quantum computing, and directed-energy weapons will define the future.”

The Raksha Mantri noted a significant rise in domestic defence capital acquisitions, from Rs. 74,000 crore in FY21-22 to Rs. 1.2 lakh crore in FY24-25, describing it as a shift from dependence to confidence. He called upon startups to create India’s first Defence Unicorn and stressed that India’s youth are the architects of a technologically self-reliant nation.

Shri Singh lauded the iDEX initiative, which has produced over 650 winners and facilitated prototype procurements worth Rs. 3,000 crore, calling it a revolution in India’s defence innovation ecosystem. He highlighted government reforms, including the Defence Procurement Manual 2025 and Defence Acquisition Procedure updates, aimed at providing stability, simplifying trials, and accelerating production for innovators.

The event showcased cutting-edge innovations under iDEX and ADITI, with startups such as Refi M. Fiber and Gravity Systems being recognized for contributions to Operation Sindoor. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat, and senior MoD officials were also present.

Shri Rajnath Singh reaffirmed that India’s defence startup ecosystem will be pivotal in building a self-reliant and technologically advanced nation, emphasizing that indigenous innovation is key to both strategic strength and economic growth.