Bengaluru: India’s DRDO Aero Cluster Industry Meet 2026 brought defence researchers, aerospace designers and more than 130 industry participants together in Bengaluru to discuss faster development of advanced technologies for the Indian Armed Forces. The one-day meeting, held on 25 July 2026, also saw the release of the new CEMILAC Certification Kit Version 2, designed to make the airworthiness certification process easier and more efficient.
The event highlights an important part of India’s defence strategy: closer cooperation between government research organisations and private industry to turn new technologies into operational systems more quickly.
What Happened at the DRDO Aero Cluster Industry Meet 2026
According to the official information shared by the , the one-day Aero Cluster Industry Meet was organised in Bengaluru on 25 July 2026. The meeting created a common platform for defence designers and industry partners to discuss challenges faced while developing and delivering technologies and systems for India’s Armed Forces.
More than 130 industry participants took part, showing the growing role of Indian companies in the country’s defence technology ecosystem.
Who Attended the DRDO Aero Industry Meet 2026
The event was inaugurated by Air Marshal Yalla Umesh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Maintenance Command, Indian Air Force, who attended as the Chief Guest.
- Prof. (Dr) Prateek Kishore, DG (Armament & Combat Systems), was the Guest of Honour.
- Dr K. Rajalakshmi Menon, DG (Aeronautical Systems), was also present at the meeting.
The participation of senior officials from both DRDO and the Indian Air Force underlines the importance of coordination between technology developers, end users and manufacturers.
Why Did DRDO Organise the Aero Cluster Industry Meet
One of the main objectives was to give industry partners an opportunity to directly discuss the problems they face while executing defence projects. These challenges can affect the development, testing, certification and eventual delivery of sophisticated defence systems. The sessions were therefore designed to identify practical ways to improve and simplify processes so that products and systems can be completed on time.
This approach is particularly important in aerospace, where a new system must pass demanding technical, safety and airworthiness requirements before it can be used operationally.
DRDO Aero Industry Meet 2026: CEMILAC Certification Kit Version 2 Released
A major development at the event was the release of the newly designed CEMILAC Certification Kit Version 2. CEMILAC, or the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification, operates under DRDO and plays a key role in military airworthiness and certification.
The new kit is intended to make the airworthiness certification process easier to understand and follow, particularly for organisations working on aerospace products and systems.
What Is Included in CEMILAC Certification Kit Version 2
According to DRDO’s announcement, the certification kit contains more than 20 technical and procedural directives and standards.
It also includes 18 video lectures and supporting material, giving industry partners additional guidance on certification requirements and procedures. The kit further covers aspects of the Design Organisation Approval Scheme (DOAS) and the e-Certification framework.
Together, these resources could help companies better understand what is required during different stages of military aerospace certification.
Why Is Airworthiness Certification Important
Airworthiness certification is essential because military aircraft and airborne systems must meet strict requirements before they can safely enter service.
Certification can involve examination of design, engineering processes, testing, documentation, safety and compliance with applicable standards.
For companies entering India’s defence aerospace sector, understanding these procedures early in product development can reduce avoidable delays later.
The Version 2 certification kit appears designed to address this issue by putting important standards, procedures, training videos and supporting information into a more accessible package.
More Than 130 Industry Participants Signal Wider Collaboration
The participation of more than 130 industry representatives is another notable part of the event. India has been working to expand domestic participation in defence research, development and manufacturing. For advanced aerospace projects, this requires a capable network of companies that can develop components, subsystems, software, electronics and specialised engineering solutions.
Industry meetings can help connect this manufacturing capability with DRDO’s research and design ecosystem.
Could the New CEMILAC Kit Reduce Project Delays
The kit is intended to ease certification, but it is too early to conclude how much it will reduce actual project timelines. Its potential advantage is that clearer technical directives, procedural standards, training material and digital certification guidance can help companies understand certification requirements earlier.
That could reduce errors, incomplete documentation or procedural confusion during certification. However, actual certification timelines will still depend on the complexity, maturity, testing performance and compliance of individual aerospace systems.
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