New Delhi: The Indian Navy will organise the fifth edition of its flagship Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar, Swavlamban 2026, on October 26 and 27 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The seminar will focus on indigenous defence technologies, innovation, start-ups and strengthening India’s self-reliance in naval capabilities.
The curtain-raiser press conference for Swavlamban 2026 was held in New Delhi on October 19, 2026, under the chairmanship of Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS).
The annual seminar aims to bring together innovators, industry partners, start-ups, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), academia, investors and the Defence Forces to develop collaborative solutions for emerging maritime security challenges.
Building on the Indian Navy’s continuing efforts to promote Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance), Swavlamban 2026 will focus on translating indigenous technological innovations into operational capabilities that can strengthen India’s maritime security and combat readiness.
Swavlamban 2026 to Strengthen Indigenous Naval Innovation
Addressing the media at the curtain-raiser event, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar highlighted the evolution of Swavlamban since its launch in 2022. He noted that the initiative has helped connect the Indian Navy’s operational requirements with the technological capabilities of Indian industry and academia.
The Vice Chief of the Naval Staff emphasised that modern warfare is changing rapidly, making it essential to develop specialised technologies into deployable systems that can operate effectively at sea.
He also highlighted the importance of durable indigenous technologies for a Navy that operates over long distances and undertakes prolonged deployments. Such technologies are crucial for maintaining combat readiness, improving operational flexibility and strengthening long-term naval capabilities.
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Swavlamban 2026 Exhibition to Showcase Advanced Defence Technologies
A major highlight of the seminar will be an exhibition showcasing indigenous innovations and technologies that have emerged as success stories. The exhibition will cover several key areas relevant to modern naval operations and maritime security.
The thematic areas will include:
- Maritime Surveillance: Technologies to improve maritime monitoring and situational awareness.
- Counter-UAS: Solutions to detect, track and counter unmanned aerial systems.
- Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technologies: Emerging technologies with potential applications in naval operations and defence systems.
- NBCD: Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence-related technologies and capabilities.
- Safety and Efficiency Enhancers: Innovations designed to improve operational safety and efficiency.
The exhibition will provide an opportunity for innovators, technology developers and industry partners to demonstrate indigenous solutions that can address the Indian Navy’s operational requirements.
Start-ups, MSMEs and Investors to Explore Defence Opportunities
Swavlamban 2026 will place significant emphasis on collaboration between the Indian Navy and India’s wider innovation ecosystem.
Engagements with venture capitalists and investors will form an important part of the seminar. These interactions will facilitate discussions on funding opportunities, scaling promising enterprises and commercialising indigenous technologies.
The seminar will also feature panel discussions involving small and medium enterprises (SMEs), focusing on self-reliance and strengthening the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) ecosystem.
Key discussion areas will include:
- Strengthening the iDEX ecosystem to support defence innovation.
- Building resilient domestic supply chains.
- Encouraging academic entrepreneurship.
- Supporting the growth of defence start-ups and emerging enterprises.
- Sharing start-up journeys and experiences in developing indigenous technologies.
These discussions aim to help promising technologies progress from the development stage towards practical deployment and wider adoption.
Swavlamban 2026 to Focus on Future and Emerging Technologies
The two-day seminar will serve as a platform for discussions on future and emerging technologies that could transform naval operations and strengthen India’s maritime capabilities.
The event will encourage collaboration among the Navy, industry, start-ups, researchers and investors to identify innovative solutions for evolving maritime security requirements.
By connecting operational needs with indigenous research and development, the seminar seeks to accelerate the development of technologies that can support a future-ready Indian Navy.
Three Key Documents to Be Released at Swavlamban 2026
Swavlamban 2026 will also witness the release of three important documents aimed at supporting naval innovation, technology development and system interoperability.
The documents are:
- Swavlamban 5.0 Document: A key document associated with the seminar’s innovation and indigenisation objectives.
- Compendium on Technology Imperatives: A compilation focused on technology requirements and priorities.
- Naval Unified Systems, Ethernet and Tactical Utilisation (NAUSETU) Interface Standards: Standards intended to support naval systems and their interfaces.
Their release will form an important part of the seminar’s efforts to align technological development with the Indian Navy’s evolving operational requirements.
Indian Navy’s Push for Aatmanirbharta in Defence
Swavlamban reflects the Indian Navy’s commitment to promoting indigenous innovation and reducing dependence on foreign technologies by developing domestic capabilities.
Through engagement with industry, start-ups, MSMEs, academia and investors, the initiative seeks to create stronger links between India’s innovation ecosystem and the Navy’s operational requirements.
Swavlamban 2026 will continue this effort by encouraging the development, deployment and commercialisation of indigenous technologies to address the challenges of modern warfare.
The seminar aims to strengthen collaboration across the defence innovation ecosystem and support the development of a technologically advanced, self-reliant and future-ready Indian Navy.
