**Executive Summary**
The Department of Defence Production (DDP) will host the National Defence Industries Conclave (NDIC) 2026 on March 19–20, 2026, at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. Inaugurated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, the event focuses on integrating MSMEs into the defence ecosystem and promoting advanced manufacturing technologies to achieve "Aatmanirbharta" (self-reliance). Key activities include the launch of new challenges for start-ups, an exhibition featuring 24 Indian and foreign firms, and the release of policy reform publications.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Event Objectives and Theme**
* **Theme:** Focused on ‘Advanced Manufacturing Technologies,’ including AI, robotics, additive manufacturing, digital twins, and smart materials.
* **Strategic Goal:** To enhance India’s technological capability, global competitiveness, and self-reliance in defence production.
* **Collaboration:** Facilitates policy dialogue and partnerships between MSMEs, start-ups, DPSUs, private firms, academia, and technology providers.
**Exhibition and Innovations**
* **Showcase:** 24 Indian and foreign firms will demonstrate advanced manufacturing technologies.
* **MSME Engagement:** Large public and private sector companies will present specific programmes and initiatives designed to engage MSMEs as partners and suppliers.
* **New Challenges:** The Raksha Mantri will launch a fresh set of challenges for start-ups and MSMEs issued by the Defence Forces and DPSUs.
**Thematic Sessions and Policy**
* **Domain Focus:** Sessions will cover aerospace, naval systems, defence electronics, advanced materials, and defence platforms.
* **Key Discussions:** Topics include indigenisation, innovation, and emerging opportunities within the defence supply chain.
* **Publications:** The event will mark the release of official publications related to defence manufacturing and policy reforms.
**Impact Analysis**
**MSMEs and Start-ups**
**Impact**
They receive increased visibility, access to the defence supply chain, and opportunities to adopt advanced technologies like automation and robotics.
**Action Required**
Participate in the conclave, explore partnership stalls, and engage with the new set of challenges launched by the Defence Forces and DPSUs.
**Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and Large Private Firms**
**Impact**
These entities gain a platform to identify new suppliers and showcase their initiatives for fostering a self-reliant manufacturing ecosystem.
**Action Required**
Exhibit initiatives for MSME engagement and collaborate with technology providers to integrate advanced manufacturing into their production lines.
**Academia and Researchers**
**Impact**
The conclave fosters industry-academia partnerships and highlights requirements for collaborative research and development.
**Action Required**
Participate in thematic sessions to align research efforts with the practical technological needs of the defence sector.
**Non-Defence Sector Industries**
**Impact**
Industries currently outside the defence fold are encouraged to explore diversification and entry points into defence manufacturing.
**Action Required**
Attend the conclave to evaluate opportunities within the defence supply chain and understand policy reforms.
Key Entities Referenced
National Defence Industries Conclave (NDIC) 2026: A major initiative organized to integrate MSMEs and startups into the defence manufacturing ecosystem and promote advanced technologies.
Department of Defence Production (DDP): The primary department under the Ministry of Defence responsible for organizing the conclave and driving domestic defence production.
Rajnath Singh: The Raksha Mantri (Minister of Defence) who inaugurates the event and launches new innovation challenges for the defence sector.
Aatmanirbharta in defence: The national vision and policy framework for achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing and global competitiveness.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri to inaugurate DDP’s National
Defence Industries Conclave 2026 on ‘Advanced
Manufacturing Technologies’ in New Delhi
Posted On: 17 MAR 2026 6:00PM by PIB Delhi
The National Defence Industries Conclave (NDIC) 2026, organised by the Department of Defence
Production (DDP) on the theme ‘Advanced Manufacturing Technologies’, will be held at Manekshaw
Centre, New Delhi on March 19-20, 2026. The two-day event will be inaugurated by Raksha Mantri Shri
Rajnath Singh. The conclave aims to strengthen the integration of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs) to India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem while promoting the adoption of advanced
technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, additive manufacturing, digital twins and
smart materials. The initiative aligns with the Government’s vision of Aatmanirbharta in defence, and
seeks to enhance India’s technological capability and global competitiveness in defence production.
The conclave will bring together MSMEs, start-ups, DPSUs, private defence companies, innovators,
policymakers, academia and technology providers to facilitate policy dialogue, promote innovation, and
expand participation in the defence supply chain. The event is also expected to encourage industries from
non-defence sectors to explore opportunities in defence manufacturing while fostering industry-academia
partnerships and collaborative research and development.
As part of the event, Raksha Mantri will inaugurate an exhibition showcasing advanced manufacturing
technologies and defence innovations. He will also launch a new set of challenges for the start-
ups/MSMEs given by the Defence Forces and the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). Several
important publications related to defence manufacturing and policy reforms will also be released.
Exhibition
The exhibition will feature stalls from private and public sector large defence companies which
will present their initiatives and programmes for engaging MSMEs as partners and suppliers in defence
manufacturing. Twenty-four (24) Indian and foreign firms will also showcase advanced manufacturing
technologies. The exhibition is expected to encourage meaningful partnerships among large private
defence manufacturers, DPSUs, technology providers and MSMEs, contributing to the national goal of
building a self-reliant and globally competitive defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Sessions
The event will feature multiple thematic and domain sessions covering key defence manufacturing
sectors. These sessions will provide a platform for policymakers, industry leaders, start-ups and
technology experts to exchange ideas and discuss emerging opportunities in the sector. The discussions
will also cover key areas such as indigenisation, innovation and technology development in domains
including aerospace, naval systems, defence electronics, advanced materials and defence platforms.The conclave builds upon the momentum generated by 12 State-Level MSME Conclaves &
various other interactions with MSMEs organised by DDP this year. It is expected to serve as an important
platform for fostering innovation, strengthening industry participation and accelerating India’s journey
towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
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VK/Savvy
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