The DefTech Conclave 2025, hosted at the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium in Pashan, brought together an impressive assembly of defence veterans, senior industry leaders, and MSME innovators for a day dedicated to collaboration and strategic dialogue. Centred on enabling micro, small, and medium enterprises to play a greater role in defence manufacturing and technology development, particularly within the naval domain, the conclave explored practical pathways for innovation, indigenisation, and self-reliance.
The one-day DefTech Conclave 2025 in Pune witnessed keynote addresses, interactive sessions, and cutting-edge product showcases, serving as a dynamic platform to align industry potential with the national visions of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat. Sponsored by Shree Refrigerations, the conclave also featured a bustling exhibition space where MSMEs showcased products and capabilities.
Stalls from Kalyani-Bharat Forge, Twin Tech Control Systems, DSA Electro Controls, i4 Marine Technologies Pvt Ltd, Orion Instruments, and Adisan Systems, among others, displayed innovations ranging from marine electronics to advanced control systems, underscoring the growing sophistication of India’s defence supply chain.
Strong Start with ARDE Leadership
The event opened with a keynote by Ankathi Raju, Director of the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), who set the tone for the day with an address that balanced pride in past achievements with a forward-looking vision. He spoke on India’s successful Pinaka missile system, highlighting its indigenous design and battlefield performance.
Reflecting on Operation Sindoor, he commended the Indian Armed Forces’ operational capabilities and technological preparedness. Shri Raju also offered a glimpse into ARDE’s ongoing research on futuristic defence technologies, positioning innovation as the cornerstone of India’s military readiness in the decades to come.
Naval Indigenisation in Focus
Following the inaugural session, Commodore Sandeep Deshmukh, Director of Indigenisation, Naval Headquarters, New Delhi, delivered a compelling presentation on expanding domestic sourcing for naval platforms. He outlined the Navy’s approach to integrating MSMEs into its supply ecosystem, stressing that smaller enterprises often bring agility, niche expertise, and the ability to rapidly adapt designs—key advantages in today’s evolving security environment.
The conclave unfolded over three structured sessions, each blending technical insight with practical guidance:
- Mid-Morning to Lunch Session: Among others included international and industry perspectives, notably from Lieutenant Commander Bidishia (Rtd), Director of Defence at the Australia Trade & Investment Commission, who spoke about building strategic bilateral defence trade channels.
- Post-Lunch Session: Led by Dr Bhushan Joshi (ex-DRDO), who delivered an in-depth presentation on the SAMAR Assessor system, detailing how it supports performance evaluation and readiness for defence assets, finally culminating in forward-looking dialogues and closing remarks.
The day’s proceedings were anchored by Colonel Sachin Randale (Rtd), whose deft moderation ensured smooth session transitions and sustained audience engagement.
In between sessions, delegates, including veterans, defence scientists, and MSME leaders, interacted in a colloquially collaborative environment. Defence start-ups found themselves in deep discussion with procurement officials, while seasoned veterans encouraged young entrepreneurs to pursue opportunities in high-tech manufacturing.
The exhibition area was a focal point of the conclave, drawing continuous foot traffic from participants eager to see the latest in defence technology. Companies showcased everything from precision instruments and advanced electronics to marine technology solutions tailored for naval applications. For MSMEs, this was not just an opportunity to display their capabilities but to engage directly with decision-makers and potential collaborators from the defence forces and allied industries.
Students & Future Talent
The conclave maintained a steady pace of interaction, with participants actively engaging during Q&A sessions after each address. Delegates used these opportunities to seek clarity on technical aspects, share their own experiences from the defence manufacturing sector, and discuss potential areas for collaboration. The open-floor format encouraged MSME representatives to voice their challenges and explore possible solutions directly with veterans and officials, making the event highly participative and solution-oriented.
In addition to industry leaders, the conclave welcomed a notable contingent of student attendees that added vibrancy to the event, contributing to lively Q&A exchanges and reinforcing the outreach value of the conclave. This intergenerational exchange reinforced the event’s role as a bridge between today’s expertise and tomorrow’s talent.
A Successful Step Towards Indigenisation
By the close of the day, DefTech Conclave 2025 had reinforced its role as a catalyst for India’s defence self-reliance journey. The discussions, exhibitions, and networking underscored a shared commitment to strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities and reducing dependency on imports through innovation-driven collaboration.
For MSMEs, the conclave was a clear message that their expertise and agility are vital in shaping the country’s defence preparedness, especially in specialised and niche technologies. By bringing together veterans, policymakers, R&D leaders, and industry players under one roof, the event advanced the vision of an India that designs, develops, and manufactures for its own defence needs — a truly Atmanirbhar Bharat.
