India convened a pivotal industry roundtable on defence technology collaboration and manufacturing at the Dubai Airshow 2025, uniting representatives from around 50 companies across India, the UAE, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, and Italy. The session, chaired by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, also saw the attendance of Ambassador of India to the UAE Deepak Mittal and Joint Secretary (Defence Production) Amit Satija. The roundtable focused on expanding joint defence production, strengthening technological cooperation, and encouraging global companies to explore manufacturing opportunities in India.
The discussions underscored the rapid growth of India’s defence innovation ecosystem, highlighted by the strong participation of Indian startups at the airshow. Officials urged industry representatives to engage with these startups to understand the scale of emerging technological capabilities. The session built on earlier interactions held at IDEX 2025, promoting open dialogue on ongoing projects, future plans, and operational challenges. Participants were invited to share concerns that may require policy or procedural intervention to support faster production and co-development in India.
Minister Seth emphasised the significant expansion of India’s defence industrial base over the past decade. “What was once limited to a small group of public sector enterprises has grown to nearly 200 manufacturing companies, driven by a sharp rise in licensing during the last two years,” he noted. The number of startups and MSMEs in the defence sector has surged from fewer than 80 to over 1,600. Under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) programme, prototypes developed by young enterprises have secured domestic and export orders worth about Rs 3,200 crore.
The roundtable concluded with a call for deeper collaboration to advance co-development, co-production, and supply-chain partnerships within India’s expanding defence manufacturing ecosystem. “This is a transformative moment for India’s defence sector,” said Ambassador Mittal. “We are not just looking at manufacturing; we are fostering an ecosystem of innovation and collaboration that will define the future of defence technology.”
India’s broader participation at the Dubai Airshow 2025 included an Indian pavilion, independent exhibits, displays by Indian startups, and demonstrations by the LCA Tejas and the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team. These exhibits provided a tangible showcase of India’s growing defence capabilities and technological advancements.
The roundtable discussions highlighted the importance of fostering a collaborative environment where global companies can partner with Indian enterprises to drive innovation and production. Joint Secretary Satija stressed the need for continuous dialogue to address challenges and streamline processes. “We need to work together to create an enabling environment that supports rapid development and deployment of cutting-edge defence technologies,” he said.
The session also underscored the strategic importance of India’s defence sector in the global market. By encouraging foreign companies to invest in and collaborate with Indian manufacturers, the roundtable aimed to position India as a hub for defence innovation and production. The discussions emphasised the need for policy frameworks that support co-development and co-production, ensuring that India’s defence sector remains competitive on the global stage.
As the defence industry continues to evolve, the roundtable provided a platform for stakeholders to share insights and forge new partnerships. The event reinforced India’s commitment to strengthening its defence manufacturing capabilities and fostering international collaboration. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, the roundtable set the stage for a new era of innovation and cooperation in the defence sector.