The Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR), in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), organised a Job Fair for Ex-Servicemen in Nagpur, bringing together industry leaders and experienced military personnel to explore employment opportunities across diverse sectors. The event was graced by Major General SBK Singh, Director General (Resettlement), DGR; Maj Gen Varun Malhotra, General Officer Commanding (GOC), UMANG Sub Area, Nagpur; Brig Ranjan Keron, Additional Director General (ADG), Directorate of Resettlement Zone (South); and Mr Amitabh Sinha, Chairman, CII Vidarbha Zone, and Managing Director, Metlok Pvt. Ltd. Member companies of CII and SIDM participated in the initiative, reaffirming their commitment to facilitating the transition of skilled and disciplined military personnel into meaningful civilian careers. #SIDM #CII #DGR #ExServicemen #VeteranEmployment #NationBuilding #DefenceIndustry

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

On Day 3 of the Defence Industry delegation visit to Tokyo, Japan, ATLA and the Embassy of India facilitated visit to EdgeCortix, a Japan-based semiconductor company specialising in hardware-software Co-design for energy-efficient AI edge computing. The delegation met with the leadership and technical team at EdgeCortix and engaged in discussions on the company’s cutting-edge AI and semiconductor design technologies, followed by live demonstrations of its solutions. EdgeCortix’s SAKURA-II AI accelerator and MERA software framework support advanced AI workloads, including Generative AI, vision and multimodal applications, with use cases across defence, aerospace, robotics and other demanding environments. The visit provided the SIDM delegation with valuable insights into Japan’s growing semiconductor design and AI ecosystem, and explored potential avenues for technology collaboration and industry partnerships between Indian and Japanese companies. SIDM remains committed to strengthening India–Japan defence and technology industry partnerships and fostering greater collaboration in emerging technologies.

Post the presentation by Industries, As a token of appreciation and goodwill, Mr Sukaran Singh, Executive Council Member, SIDM, and Managing Director, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), presented on behalf of the Industry Delegation, a memento to Mr Takashi Koyari, State Minister of Defence, Japan, during the India–Japan Defence Industry Forum held in Tokyo on 13 October 2026. The gesture symbolised the spirit of friendship and mutual respect underpinning the India–Japan Defence Industry partnership, reflecting the shared commitment to strengthening defence industrial cooperation and fostering deeper engagement between the defence industries of both nations. #SIDM #IndiaJapan #DefenceCooperation #DefenceIndustry #IndiaJapanPartnership

The Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), in association with the Embassy of India in Japan and the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, hosted the India–Japan Defence Industry Forum in Tokyo on 13 October 2026. The 23-member Indian defence industry delegation was led by Shri Prakash Rajpurohit, Joint Secretary (DIP), Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence. The Forum witnessed the presence of Mr Takashi Koyari San, State Minister of Defence, Japan, Mr Manabu Imakyurei, Commissioner of the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), along with senior representatives from the Japanese Ministry of Defence and leading Japanese industries. SIDM expresses its sincere gratitude to Shri R. Madhu Sudan, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of India in Japan, and Capt Ashish Delsaria, Defence Attaché, for their invaluable support and assistance in ensuring the successful organisation of the Forum. The engagement marks an important step towards strengthening India–Japan defence industrial cooperation, fostering industry partnerships, and exploring opportunities for collaboration in co-development, co-production and advanced defence technologies. #SIDM #IndiaJapan #DefenceCooperation #DefenceManufacturing #AatmanirbharBharat #IndiaJapanPartnership

Western Command and SIDM cordially invite you to the Curtain Raiser of MECH TECH SYMPOSIUM 2026. Join the conversation providing an opportunity for industry participants to engage with senior Command officers, showcase their capabilities and understand operational requirements to be prepared for participation at the main event. The Symposium aims to identify industry solutions across multiple domains to enhance operational effectiveness in the plains sector. Venue: Ashoka Hall, Manekshaw Centre Auditorium, New Delhi Date: 26 October 2026 Time: 0900–1130 hrs Registration Deadline: 22 October 2026 For Registration: forms.zohopublic.in/societyo… #MECHTECHSYMPOSIUM2026 #DefenceManufacturing #IndigenousTechnology #DefenceInnovation #DefenceEcosystem #SelfRelianceInDefence

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

The operational challenges of India’s Eastern Front and the growing role of industry in addressing frontline requirements formed the central focus of the session “Defence – Industry Synergy: Eastern Front Powering India’s Strategic Operational Capability” during the SIDM Annual Session 2026. Sharing his perspectives, Lt Gen V M Bhuvana Krishnan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, emphasised the importance of developing capabilities that are responsive to the unique terrain, operational conditions and requirements of the Eastern Front. The discussion was moderated by Mr Neeraj Gupta, Vice President – SIDM. The session highlighted how initiatives such as East Tech and East Tech X are facilitating greater engagement between the Indian Army, industry, startups and academia, providing opportunities for technology development and evaluation in operational environments. The discussions also reflected the significant opportunities for strengthening the defence industrial ecosystem in eastern India, while fostering closer partnerships between the Armed Forces and industry to advance India’s strategic operational capabilities. #SIDMAnnualSession2026 #Defence #DefenceIndustry #IndianArmy #Innovation #AtmanirbharBharat

At the SIDM Annual Session 2026, Mr. A. Anbarasu, IAS, Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition), Ministry of Defence, shared his perspective on accelerating capability delivery and strengthening India’s defence industrial base. Moderated by Mr. Rajinder Singh Bhatia, Immediate Past President, SIDM, the session explored how acquisition reforms can help Indian industry move from component manufacturing to becoming Tier One system integrators. Mr. Anbarasu highlighted the importance of streamlining procurement timelines, advancing indigenous capabilities, and building a stronger, more responsive partnership between government and industry. He also discussed emerging priorities, including the evolving Defence Acquisition Procedure, spiral development, reformed trials, and improved engagement between industry and stakeholders. #SIDMAnnualSession2026 #DefenceIndustry #DefenceAcquisition #MakeInIndia #AtmanirbharBharat #Indigenisation #DefenceInnovation #CapabilityDevelopment #IndustrialResilience

At the SIDM Annual Session 2026, H.E. Jean-Eric Paquet, Ambassador of the European Union to India, shared his perspective on turning the India–EU defence partnership into practical industrial cooperation. In a session moderated by Mr. Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO of Adani Defence, the discussion explored the growing strategic convergence between India and Europe, the scale of defence investment, and opportunities to work together on shared security challenges, including maritime security. H.E. Paquet highlighted the opportunity to move beyond a buyer–seller relationship towards co-creation—bringing together Europe’s technology and standards with India’s scale, speed and engineering capabilities. Realising this potential will require trusted information-sharing, clear frameworks for technology and intellectual property and resilient supply chains. He also discussed the proposed Europe–India Defence Industry Forum, with SIDM expected to play a key role in bringing industry partners together and advancing collaboration. #SIDM #IndiaEU #DefenceCooperation #DefenceIndustry #StrategicPartnership #IndustrialResilience #MaritimeSecurity #MakeInIndia

At the SIDM Annual Session & Champion Awards 2026, the session on “Building Maritime Power: Accelerating Naval Modernisation and Indigenous Capability,” by Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, Chief of the Naval Staff, focused on strengthening India’s maritime capabilities through innovation, modernisation, and indigenous development. With around 95% of India’s trade by volume moving by sea, maritime security is fundamental to national prosperity. The Navy emphasized its commitment to work with industry as a collaborator and co-developer—sharing future capability priorities and operational challenges, enabling user feedback, and supporting development from concept and prototyping through testing, validation, and induction. For industry, the priorities include investing in original R&D and sovereign technologies; delivering systems at scale, on time, and to the quality required for demanding naval conditions; designing platforms for modular upgrades and long-term support; and building supply-chain resilience and surge capacity. #SIDMAnnualSession2026 #ChampionAwards #IndianNavy #MaritimeSecurity #DefenceIndustry #MakeInIndia #AatmanirbharBharat

The SIDM Annual Session & Champion Awards 2026 witnessed Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, IAS, Defence Secretary, Ministry of Defence, sharing perspectives on “Defence Strategy, Fiscal Architecture, and Strategic Autonomy: Institutionalizing Long-Term Defence Preparedness in an Uncertain World.” During the interactive session with SIDM members, he emphasized greater private sector participation, faster procurement and contract signing, and a major increase in defence spending. He also highlighted achieving ₹50,000 crore in defence exports, increasing R&D investment beyond 1% of GDP and strengthening industry collaboration through DRDO technology transfers and DcPP projects. These reforms aim to build a competitive, innovation-driven, and self-reliant defence industrial ecosystem, strengthening India’s strategic autonomy and long-term preparedness. #SIDMAnnualSession2026 #ChampionAwards #DefenceAndAerospace #DefenceIndustry #MakeInIndia #AatmanirbharBharat

Over the years, Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, has been a pillar of strength of SIDM’s mission to recognise and advance India’s defence and aerospace industry. His continued association with the SIDM Champion Awards reflects the importance of honouring innovators, MSMEs, startups and enterprises strengthening India’s indigenous defence capabilities. At the SIDM Champion Awards 2026, he conferred awards celebrating excellence in indigenisation, innovation, design and technological mastery. Sharing his thoughts, Shri Rajnath Singh recalled his association with SIDM since its inception, describing its members as nation-builders committed to India's quest for self-reliance. He expressed pride in India’s historic progress and rising defence exports despite challenging circumstances. Highlighting the rapidly evolving nature of warfare and the growing role of technology, he emphasised the need for continuous technological advancement, faster research and development and staying abreast of emerging developments to remain ahead. #SIDMAnnualSession2026 #ChampionAwards #DefenceAndAerospace #DefenceIndustry #MakeInIndia #AatmanirbharBharat

SIDM opened the Annual Session & Champion Awards 2026 with a thought-provoking plenary session where General N. S. Raja Subramani, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), spoke on “Jointness, Multi-Domain Integration, and National Deterrence: Architecting Strategic Autonomy for Integrated Warfare.” This was followed by a fireside chat with Mr Baba Kalyani, Founder President, SIDM. During his talk, the CDS emphasised that no arm of the force can fight in isolation, while highlighting the operational imperative of integrating capabilities across land, sea, air, space, cyber and electronic domains. He underscored the importance of AI and data sovereignty, secure and trusted data, indigenous AI models and sensor integration through closer collaboration between the armed forces and industry. He further stressed that strategic autonomy is essential in critical areas where access to vital capabilities or supply chains could be denied, reinforcing the need to develop indigenous technologies and resilient defence ecosystems. He called upon the industry to focus on volume, scale and speed, with particular emphasis on the long-term sustainment of equipment, to ensure operational readiness and build lasting defence capabilities.

Setting the stage for an impactful day at the SIDM Annual Session & Champion Awards 2026, Mr Arun Ramchandani, President, SIDM, underscored the pivotal role of the industry in advancing India’s quest for Atmanirbharta. He emphasised the importance of indigenous design and manufacturing, technological innovation, resilient supply chains and stronger collaboration between industry and the armed forces in building a robust defence manufacturing ecosystem. His opening address set the tone for a day of meaningful conversations, industry insights, collaboration and recognition of excellence across the automotive ecosystem. #SIDMAnnualSession2026 #ChampionAwards #DefenceAndAerospace #DefenceIndustry #MakeInIndia #AatmanirbharBharat

The SIDM Annual Session & Champion Awards 2026 is all set to celebrate the vision, innovation and excellence driving India’s defence industry towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Honouring the champions shaping a self-reliant, stronger and future-ready India! #SIDMAnnualSession2026 #ChampionAwards #DefenceAndAerospace #DefenceIndustry #MakeInIndia #AatmanirbharBharat