DRDO-Industry Synergy Meet: Policy Initiatives for Defence MSMEs
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh unveiled key policy initiatives during the 'VIMARSH' DRDO-Industry Synergy Meet in New Delhi on September 15, 2026. The initiatives include a comprehensive framework to lower technical and financial entry barriers for MSMEs and deep-tech start-ups, offering direct funding, incubation support, and dedicated access to DRDO testing facilities. A standardized, secure framework for sharing DRDO-developed software source codes with licensee industries was also launched to accelerate software-defined defence capabilities and obsolescence management.
During the event, nine Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToTs) were handed over to 13 manufacturing partners to enable commercial production of state-of-the-art systems. Strategic MoUs were formally exchanged with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB) to expand industry outreach and foster grassroots participation. DRDO also signed a contract with Quality Council of India for System for Advance Manufacturing Assessment and Rating (SAMAR) version 2.0 to benchmark the manufacturing maturity of domestic defence enterprises.
Raksha Mantri emphasized the need to expand DRDO-Industry collaboration beyond production to encompass the entire value chain including research, design, testing, certification, and manufacturing to transform India into a global hub for defence manufacturing. He outlined the goal of achieving Aatmanirbharta in critical technologies by 2047, with significant increase in indigenous content, multi-fold growth in defence exports, and robust presence in global supply chains.
The defence reforms highlighted include Positive Indigenisation Lists, 'Make in India' initiative, iDEX, ADITI, and the decision to allocate 25% of the defence R&D budget to the private sector. Grants are being provided to start-ups through the Technology Development Fund, with numerous technologies already reaching production stage. Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh revealed that over 2,300 Technology Transfers have been handed over to more than 1,100 industries, with technologies related to approximately 50 missiles now available to industry.
Additional releases included a book titled 'Defence Systems for Resilient Bharat – Advancing Aatmanirbharta in Defence' documenting significant defence systems developed by DRDO between 2014 to 2026, and guidelines for Human Resource Outsourcing Service Contracts in DRDO providing a comprehensive framework for service specifications and procurement.
The event was attended by over 250 defence industry leaders, industry chamber representatives, senior civil and military officials, and senior DRDO scientists, with technical sessions covering aeronautical systems, missiles, armaments, microelectronics, and naval systems.