Gandhinagar: A high-level seminar on ‘Aatmanirbharata in the Defence Sector’ was held today at Hotel Leela in Gandhinagar, aimed at empowering MSMEs and startups in Gujarat to play a more active role in India’s rapidly evolving defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The seminar was jointly organised by the Department of Defence Production (DoDP), Government of India, along with the Industries & Mines Department, Government of Gujarat, Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), and Laghu Udyog Bharati.
Boosting Local Capabilities in Strategic Sectors
The event focused on bridging the gap between Gujarat’s industrial potential and national defence priorities. Key topics included:
- Engineering, precision fabrication & machining
- Defence electronics and embedded systems
- UAVs and drones
- Aerospace and avionics components
- Armour ceramics, defence textiles, coatings, and speciality materials
With over 16,000 MSMEs already operating in relevant domains, Gujarat is uniquely positioned to contribute to the national defence supply chain, provided these enterprises gain access to procurement processes, innovation networks, and export opportunities.
Senior Officials and Industry Leaders Address Key Challenges
Addressing the gathering, Gujarat Industries Minister Mr. Balvantsinh Rajput said:
“India is flourishing with technology, ideation, and Make in India initiatives—there is huge opportunity for MSMEs in this sector.”
Smt. Manisha Chandra (IAS), Joint Secretary, Department of Defence Production, spoke on Gujarat’s unique position in defence and aerospace manufacturing. Mr. Sanjeev Kumar (IAS), Secretary, Department of Defence Production, and Mr. Baldevbhai Prajapati, President of Laghu Udyog Bharati, also delivered special addresses.
Ms. Mamta Verma, Principal Secretary, Industries and Mines Department, highlighted that over 16,000 MSMEs are already operational in this space and stressed the importance of leveraging government schemes and policies to increase sectoral capabilities.
Expert Panels, Startups and PSUs Share Insights
Mr. Lokesh Kumar Sharma, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Defence, explained how MSMEs can accelerate India’s self-reliance in defence.
A presentation by Swadeshi Empresa Pvt. Ltd., a startup, demonstrated how innovation is shaping the future of Indian defence.
Major General (Retd.) A.K. Channan delivered insights on defence procurement processes.
Mr. Soumendu Ray, from Rashtriya Raksha University, highlighted the ecosystem for defence startups and R&D.
Representatives from SIDBI, L&T Precision Engineering, HAL, and Tata Advanced Systems shared their experiences with over 100 defence schemes and verticals including aerospace, weapons, and systems integration.
Live Exhibitions by Defence Manufacturers
The event featured an exhibition of cutting-edge defence manufacturing and technology by key players such as:
- HAL – Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd
- Abhyuday Bharat Projects Pvt. Ltd
- Unique Forge Rajkot
- Inside FPV Drones
- Krishna Engineering
- SLS System Level Solution
- URJA Products Pvt. Ltd
- Vexma Technologies Pvt. Ltd
- Axio Inspired Med Tech
- Spike Engineering
- SIDBI and others
These stalls showcased India’s growing capability in precision engineering, drone tech, AI-based systems, and advanced materials.
Key Objectives: Self-Reliance, Export Readiness, MSME Empowerment
The seminar revolved around three major themes:
- Vendor Development in Defence
- Startups in Defence Ecosystem
- Gujarat’s Aerospace & Defence Policy
The aim was to foster linkages between local industries and defence PSUs, the armed forces, and R&D organisations. This aligns with the national agenda of Viksit Bharat@2047 and Viksit Gujarat@2047, promoting innovation-driven and high-value industrial ecosystems.
“This seminar is an important step in leveraging Gujarat’s strengths as a defence manufacturing hub. It contributes directly to India’s goal of becoming one of the top five defence producers globally,” said a DoDP official.
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