Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh declared India’s defence sector is entering a golden era of innovation, propelled by young entrepreneurs and start-ups who fuse economic strength, strategic vision, and technological advancement. Addressing the fourth edition of the Indian Navy’s Swavlamban seminar in New Delhi, Singh called for a “profit-plus” approach in the private sector—blending financial returns with nationalism, duty, and strategic responsibility.
Strong Domestic Supply Chain and Reduced Import Dependency
The minister stressed that India must remain ahead of global geopolitical shifts by proactively strengthening its domestic defence supply chain. He noted that local manufacturing of components and subsystems would cut costs and boost reliability and strategic independence. Singh urged the private sector, R&D labs, and startups to help lift indigenous content and set a target for private industry’s share in defence manufacturing to exceed 50% in the coming years.
Swavlamban Seminar: Showcasing Innovation and Collaboration
Swavlamban 2025 featured an extensive exhibition with around 80 MSMEs and startups showcasing new naval technologies, including AI, autonomous systems, quantum computing, smart munitions, and stealth solutions. Products developed via iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) challenges now strengthen Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and CAPFs—highlighting pan-defence ecosystem impact and fostering collaboration for future operational deployments.
New Launches: SARATHI App and Innovathon
The SARATHI app, unveiled by the Defence Minister, is an analytical tool for managing all stages of naval armament, from development to disposal, enhancing quality and indigenisation. The event also launched Innovathon, a Naval hackathon inviting students, technologists, and developers to solve real-world maritime challenges in algorithms, encryption, and intelligence systems. MoUs between IIT Madras, Apollo Micro Systems, and the Navy further boosted indigenous R&D and production.
Conclusion
Swavlamban 2025 spotlights India’s transformation from technology importer to exporter, with defence innovation and strategic autonomy now central to growth. The integrated push—supported by government, industry, and research networks—aims to ensure India’s security, reduce import dependency, and position the nation as a builder and leader in the sector.
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Source: PIB
