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#

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit #CISC#, addressed the staff of HQ IDS on relinquishment of his appointment. He expressed his appreciation for the wholehearted participation and dedicated efforts of all personnel towards the numerous initiatives undertaken by HQ IDS over the past year, furthering #Jointness#, #Atmanirbharta#, #Innovation#, and enhanced integration in the joint schemes of the Services.

India has shown remarkable stability during tough and testing times globally, despite our structural vulnerabilities. It has been achieved by ensuring macroeconomic stability over the last decade while making policy-making responsive and agile. We are committed to further the process of Aatmanirbharta to safeguard our nation.

Swavlamban 2026: Day 1 ⚓ The fifth edition of SWAVLAMBAN , organised by Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation in collaboration with SOCIETY OF INDIAN DEFENCE MANUFACTURERS supported by IDEX, Dept of Defence Production Ministry of Defence is being held at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The day opened with the thematic exhibition, inaugurated by the Chief of the Naval Staff alongside DG SIDM showcased indigenous technologies in Maritime Surveillance, Counter-UAS, Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technologies from AROUND 100 defence startups & MSMEs. Later in the Inaugural Session, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, in his keynote address, stressed that delivering capabilities faster requires mechanisms for collaboration. He highlighted that solutions emerging from iDEX can be broken down and put to dual use, serving both defence and civil society. Mr Neeraj Gupta, Vice President, SIDM, outlined the industry perspective on innovation and self-reliance. The day concluded with a plenary session graced by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh as Chief Guest. He highlighted self-reliance driven through the iDEX ecosystem, resilient domestic supply chains and academic entrepreneurship. He expressed confidence that innovators will be “impact players” in Phase 2 of India’s Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) journey, where products must be made in India and also be cost-effective and operationally superior. The Chief of the Naval Staff noted that Swavlamban has so far showcased technologies with procurement approvals worth over ₹3,500 crore, and that AoN worth ₹1,900 crore has been accorded to Indian innovators for indigenous systems. #Swavlamban2026# #IndianNavy# #SIDM# #Aatmanirbharta# #iDEX# #DefenceIndigenisation#

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#

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#