Powering the next era of mechanised warfare through indigenous innovation, advanced technologies and mission-ready solutions. MECH TECH SYMPOSIUM 2026 brings together defence stakeholders and industry leaders to address critical operational challenges, enhance combat effectiveness and strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence capabilities. Date: 14-15 December 2026 Venue: Chandimandir Cantt., Chandigarh For registration: #MechTechSymposium2026# #MechanisedWarfare# #AtmanirbharBharat# #DefenceInnovation# #DefenceTechnology#

The Indian Army, in association with SIDM, organised a symposium at CAFVD Kirkee, Pune, on **“Enhancing Indigenous Manufacturing of Imported Spares and Assemblies to Boost Atmanirbharta.”** Mr Arun T Ramchandani, SIDM President, highlighted key MSME challenges in scaling from samples to serial production, emphasising streamlined testing, predictable procurement, timely access to specifications and an enabling policy framework. The session was also addressed by Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla, PVSM, UYSM, YSM, SM, VSM, Master General Sustenance, Indian Army; Lt Gen Deepak Ahuja, DGOS; and Brig K Shri Ram Kumar, Controller CQA (HV). The symposium reinforced Army–Industry collaboration and advanced India’s defence indigenisation and self-reliance goals. #SIDM# #IndianArmy# #AtmanirbharBharat# #DefenceManufacturing# #Indigenisation# #MSMEs# #MakeInIndia#

Mech Tech 2.0 Curtain Raiser: Transforming Existing Platforms for Future Combat HQ Western Command (Indian Army) in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), organised Curtain Raiser to announce MECH TECH 2.0 scheduled to be held in December 2026. It was graced by the Lt. Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh, AVSM, SM & bar, GOC-in-C Western Command, Mr Neeraj Gupta (VP, SIDM) and senior officers, with overwhelming representation from Defence industry and startups. The focus of the seminar was “Transforming existing platforms for future combat” by upgrading and extending the life of current platforms through modular, indigenous technology. In the keynote address, the GOC-in-C stressed that Mech Tech 2.0 is not merely a modernisation initiative but an operational imperative. He called for upgradation, refurbishment and life extension of existing platforms through indigenous solutions, and emphasised that success will be measured by the quality of solutions and demonstrated military utility, not the scale of the exhibition. Key highlights included the release of the Compendium of Problem Definition Statements across eight domains, the unveiling of the Mech Tech 2.0 logo, and valuable industry-military interactions. The event concluded with a presentation by Maj Gen Prashant Singh Kanwar, GOC 1 Armoured Division on the problem definition statements, tracing the path from operational gap to fielded capability. #MechTech2# #IndianArmy# #WesternCommand# #SIDM# #AtmanirbharBharat# #DefenceInnovation#

The strategic imperative of integrating domestic industry into international aerospace and defence value chains formed the central focus of the session “Empowering Indian MSMEs for Global Supply Chains: Capacity Building, Quality Harmonisation, and Co-Exporting to Third Countries” at the SIDM Annual Session 2026.   Moderating the session, Air Marshal Anil Chopra, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM (Retd.),  Strategic Advisor SIDM, highlighted that large Indian and global OEMs must actively mentor smaller enterprises through stringent qualification cycles and accompany them into wider international markets.   Mr Tony Walton, Managing Director, BAE Systems India, shared his perspectives on transitioning engagements from local production to deeper, long-term partnerships. He stressed that collaboration with start-ups and academia must align with clearly identifiable customer requirements—both domestic and international—to establish practical pathways for co-exporting qualified systems.   Mr H G Chandrashekar, Founder and Managing Director, SASMOS HET Technologies Ltd, outlined the journey of scaling an Indian supplier into global supply chains. He underscored the importance of thinking strategically from inception, investing in quality processes and people alongside machinery, and transitioning beyond build-to-print contracts toward proprietary engineering and business diversification. #SIDMAnnualSession2026# #MSME# #DefenceExports# #AerospaceAndDefence# #CapacityBuilding# #AtmanirbharBharat#

The Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), in association with the Embassy of India in Japan and the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, hosted the India–Japan Defence Industry Forum in Tokyo on 13 October 2026. The 23-member Indian defence industry delegation was led by Shri Prakash Rajpurohit, Joint Secretary (DIP), Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence. The Forum witnessed the presence of Mr Takashi Koyari San, State Minister of Defence, Japan, Mr Manabu Imakyurei, Commissioner of the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), along with senior representatives from the Japanese Ministry of Defence and leading Japanese industries. SIDM expresses its sincere gratitude to Shri R. Madhu Sudan, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of India in Japan, and Capt Ashish Delsaria, Defence Attaché, for their invaluable support and assistance in ensuring the successful organisation of the Forum. The engagement marks an important step towards strengthening India–Japan defence industrial cooperation, fostering industry partnerships, and exploring opportunities for collaboration in co-development, co-production and advanced defence technologies. #SIDM# #IndiaJapan# #DefenceCooperation# #DefenceManufacturing# #AatmanirbharBharat# #IndiaJapanPartnership#