New Delhi, March 21: India is set to achieve defense exports worth ₹50,000 crore by 2030. Additionally, the country aims for ₹3 lakh crore in domestic defense production. On Friday, Defense Minister of State Sanjay Seth expressed confidence in reaching this ambitious target.
Sanjay Seth spoke at the National Defense Industries Conclave 2026 held in New Delhi. He highlighted that the 2026-27 central budget allocates ₹7.85 lakh crore to the Ministry of Defense, creating new opportunities for MSMEs and startups. The two-day conclave concluded on March 20.
The conference focused on strengthening the nation’s defense production capabilities and adopting modern technologies. Participants included MSMEs, defense PSUs, private defense firms, startups, innovators, policymakers, and academics.
During the closing session, Minister Seth emphasized that MSMEs and startups are bolstering national defense capabilities while safeguarding national interests. He described them as a key pillar of innovation, playing a crucial role in making India a global defense manufacturing hub. He referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a developed and self-reliant India, stating that the government is continuously working towards this goal.
Defense Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar summarized the discussions, noting that the platform provided MSMEs with direct communication opportunities with industry leaders, defense institutions, and policymakers. This has strengthened prospects for collaboration, technological advancement, and supply chain integration. The conference featured several significant technical sessions covering artillery, small arms, special metals, advanced combat materials, naval platforms, armored vehicles, ammunition, missile systems, air defense technology, and maintenance.
Additionally, there were in-depth discussions on emerging fields such as smart manufacturing, Industry 4.0, guidance and navigation systems, propulsion technology, and semiconductor manufacturing. An exhibition accompanying the conference showcased India’s defense manufacturing capabilities, with major defense companies and both Indian and international firms demonstrating modern technologies like automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, and smart materials.
Experts believe that this conference has been a significant step towards advancing the self-reliant India goal and establishing India as a strong global defense manufacturing center. On the final day, Minister Seth highlighted the rapidly growing defense industrial capacity, the innovation ecosystem, and the critical role of industries in enhancing self-reliance.
He stated that the country is not only progressing towards self-reliance in defense production but is also emerging as a reliable partner on the global stage. Various technical sessions focused on the role of MSMEs, with one session titled “The Science that Shields the Nation: MSME Innovations in Advanced Materials and Defense Composites,” showcasing how MSMEs are developing high-quality materials and defense composites using advanced manufacturing techniques.
This initiative significantly enhances the strength, security, and efficiency of defense systems, further empowering India’s self-reliant defense manufacturing framework. Another important session, “Promoting India’s Defense Exports: The Growing Role of MSMEs, Startups, and Emerging Industries,” highlighted how innovation, scalability, and advanced manufacturing are elevating India’s defense exports to new heights.
As a result, India is establishing its identity as a robust global defense manufacturing center, propelling the self-reliant India initiative forward. A further session elaborated on the role of smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0, detailing how automation, data-driven processes, and modern technologies are making defense production more efficient, precise, and innovative.
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