Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted on Wednesday that India is stepping into a “golden era of defence innovation,” calling for a bold, future-ready approach to national security and military capability. He was speaking at Swavlamban 2025 at the Manekshaw Centre, where cutting-edge indigenous technologies were showcased by startups and MSMEs.
Singh stressed that India must shift from a reactive mindset to a proactive one to stay ahead amid rapidly changing geopolitical and security challenges. He urged the private sector to adopt a “profit-plus” approach—balancing business goals with national interest—to accelerate self-reliance and strengthen the defence ecosystem “bigger, bolder, and faster.”
Highlighting the role of young innovators, he said the foundation of this new era is being built on a blend of economic strength, strategic vision, and technological advancement.
The exhibition featured innovations aligned with operational needs of the armed forces, including AI systems, autonomous platforms, quantum technologies, stealth solutions, and smart ordnance. Nearly 80 startups and MSMEs presented deployable products, underscoring the growing maturity of India’s defence-tech sector.
Singh called for deeper collaboration between private industry, startups, R&D institutions, and government agencies, targeting a future where the private sector contributes 50% or more to indigenous defence manufacturing. The goal, he said, is to transform India “from a buyer to a builder—and eventually a global leader” in defence technology.
Senior military leaders, including Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, attended the event.
With an emphasis on disruptive technologies and indigenous capability-building, Swavlamban 2025 marks a significant step toward ensuring strategic autonomy, cost efficiency, and enhanced combat readiness—signalling what Singh described as a transformational phase for India’s defence sector.
