New Delhi: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called upon innovators and startups to take India’s defence innovation ecosystem to the next level, urging them to create the nation’s first defence unicorn.
Speaking at ‘Raksha Navachar Samvaad: Interaction with iDEX Startups’ at Vigyan Bhawan, the minister said India’s future wars will be fought with artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, drones, quantum computing, and directed-energy weapons, and innovators must lead this technological transformation.
“The battlefield has changed. The wars of tomorrow will be fought with algorithms, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence,” Rajnath said. “We must not remain imitators or followers in technology, we must become the creators and standard-setters for the world,” he added, while referencing Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of how emerging technologies are already redefining the nature of modern warfare.
The event, organized by the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative under the Department of Defence Production (DDP), brought together startups, MSMEs, and defence industry stakeholders. Prior to inaugurating the National Conference on Defence Innovation, Rajnath interacted with innovators and appreciated their cutting-edge contributions to India’s growing self-reliance in defence technology.
From Dependence To Confidence
Highlighting the measurable progress in indigenization, Rajnath revealed that defence capital acquisitions from domestic sources have risen sharply from ₹74,000 crore in 2021-22 to ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2024-25. He called this shift “not merely statistical but a change in mindset — from dependence to confidence.”
He also underscored the government’s strong support for micro and small enterprises (MSEs), noting that 25% of annual procurement is reserved for them, with over 350 items earmarked exclusively for small-scale suppliers. “India’s self-reliance in defence has moved from being a slogan to becoming a movement,” he said. “From policy to practice, and from innovation to impact, this transformation has been made possible by our innovators, startups, and young entrepreneurs.”
Encouraging startups to aim higher, he added, “India has over 100 unicorns today, but none in defence. Let the first defence unicorn of India emerge from among you. It will be a matter of pride for the entire nation.”
Rajnath lauded India’s record-breaking defence production of ₹1.5 lakh crore and exports exceeding ₹23,000 crore in the last fiscal year, crediting startups for their key role. “You are the architects of a new India that designs, develops, and produces for itself,” he said, highlighting the shift from being technology importers to global innovators.
iDEX: Democratising Defence Innovation
Tracing the origins of the iDEX initiative, launched in 2018, Rajnath described it as a “transformational programme that has democratized defence innovation in India”. He noted that in just seven years, more than 650 iDEX winners have emerged and prototype procurement worth over ₹3,000 crore have been ensured. “This marks a revolution in India’s defence innovation landscape,” he said.
Before iDEX, Indian talent was excelling globally in IT, telecom, and space but was underutilised in defence, the minister noted. “Through iDEX, we ensured that India’s talent works for India’s security. Today, this initiative is not just a programme but a movement shaping the future of Indian defence manufacturing.”
Recognising the achievements of startups such as Refi M. Fiber and Gravity Systems, who were honoured for their contributions during Operation Sindoor, he said, “It is a matter of pride when our soldiers salute innovations born from India’s own soil.” Several Indian startups, he added, are now showcasing technologies at international platforms like the Dubai Airshow 2025, earning global recognition.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is also forging strategic alliances with the Department of Science & Technology, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and financial institutions to provide end-to-end support for startups.
“Our goal is to ensure that every idea grows into a viable product, every prototype scales into production, and every innovation strengthens India’s defence preparedness,” he said.
Senior defence officials, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat, and Secretary (defence production) Sanjeev Kumar, were present at the event, alongside innovators, MSMEs, and industry leaders.