THE WEEK Defence Conclave 2025 brought together defence leaders, industry experts and policy makers

NEW DELHI

 

There was a clear sense of purpose and patriotic fervour as serving officers, decorated veterans, seasoned policymakers and officials, representatives from the defence industry, and eager military enthusiasts sat down for the maiden edition of THE WEEK DEFENCE CONCLAVE, with the theme ‘The Force of the Future’, at Manekshaw Centre in Delhi on April 17.

 

The event, held under the banner of the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Defence Productions, and partnered by HAL, Airbus, BDL, Innefu Labs, L&T, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, showed the transition of THE WEEK from reporting with the brave soldiers on the battlefronts and the brilliant minds shaping strategy behind the scenes, to brainstorming with them.

 

“This is the first such event that we are organising, where we, instead of approaching you for news and insights, hope to discuss together and contribute more meaningfully to the cause of security,” said Riyad Mathew, Chief Associate Editor and Director of THE WEEK, as he welcomed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other guests and set the tone for the discussions on the evolving landscape of India’s defence and security.

 

Outlining his vision for a self-reliant and future-ready India in the face of constantly evolving warfare, Singh emphasised the need for developing a strong defence industrial base that will contribute to the global supply chain as well―a sentiment that was echoed by the military officials, industry leaders and experts who concurred during the panel discussions that followed. There was general agreement that true strategic autonomy is impossible without a robust indigenous defence ecosystem.

 

“Today, while India’s defence sector is moving ahead on the path of self-reliance, it is also ready to play a very important role in making global supply chains resilient,” Singh said. Calling for the strengthening of the sector through indigenisation, innovation, and export-led growth, he said, “The day is not far when India will not only emerge as a developed country, but our military power will also emerge as the number one in the world.” Citing the example of iDEX, Singh underlined the government’s commitment to fostering innovation, particularly among the youth and startups.

 

Defence reforms should not be seen in isolation, they must form part of overall transformation efforts in the defence sector, said former Indian Army chief General Manoj Pande.

 

He pointed out that while reforms are about making changes within an organisation and have limited scope, and may have to do with specific issues, transformation is more fundamental and has to do with mindset, is broader in scope and has to do with organisational changes.

 

“Transformation, therefore, can achieve better results, for a multi-agency, multidisciplinary organisation like the Ministry of Defence,” he said.

 

The unprecedented trends shaping the geopolitical landscape, the development of niche technologies, the evolving character of wars, and changes in socio-economic domains necessitate reforms that would lead to capability building, enhanced operational readiness, and improved combat and functional efficiency. Former Indian Air Force chief Air Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, who spoke at the conclave, called for a participatory and collaborative transformation of the defence organisation.

 

Air Marshal Chaudhari stressed the need to balance between the rapid pace of modernisation and the slower, more deliberate process of indigenisation. Innovation must become the cornerstone of our defence strategy, he said while urging the academic and research institutes to step in to contribute meaningfully and leverage niche and disruptive technologies.

 

Reforms should be an ongoing process, rooted in the past and adapted for the present, as modern wars―unlike what many predicted―do not end quickly. Even when the international community intervenes, it often does so to sell weapons to countries at war, the panellists at a session moderated by Sanjay Mitra, former defence secretary, felt. The panel comprised Lt General Vinod Khandare (Retd), ex-adviser MoD, former DG, DIA; Lt General D.P. Pandey (Retd); and Group Captain Rajiv Kumar Narang (Retd) MP-IDSA, and discussed the theme ‘Momentous Changes: Defence Reforms’.

 

India’s experience with warfare has, for a long time, remained limited to the operational and tactical levels, even as the nature of war has evolved to encompass all three domains―land, sea and air―as well as proxy warfare, cyber warfare, drone operations, disinformation campaigns and economic disruption. Wars are no longer confined to borders, as drones and hypersonic weapons have significantly extended the reach of military forces.

 

These changes underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in India’s defence strategy, structure and capabilities. The shift necessitates a resilient and agile force structure, capable of adapting to the challenges posed by rapidly advancing technologies and the ever-changing character of modern warfare. The emergence of artificial intelligence has further complicated the landscape, adding a layer of nuance that requires military forces to not only be technologically advanced but also highly flexible in strategies and operations.

 

According to the panellists, reforms should involve making the defence forces lead, steer and become equal partners in the design and development of defence technology. More from the wishlist: ensure that IAS officers understand the critical aspects defining the trajectory of India’s defence technology landscape; appointment of techno-finance experts in defence finance; and establishment of a defence and aeronautics commission. Reforms are also needed in the Ministry of Civil Aviation to leverage emerging technologies like drones and UAVs. Additionally, there is a need for greater civil-military integration.

 

Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari, too, observed that disruptive new-age technologies like drones, robotics, and the use of data are changing the nature of wars, and at the end of every conflict anywhere in the world, the “must-have” list of weapons for a country continues to get longer. It is the merging of the hardware, software, and users that will enable India to counter any future adversary. “In the digital age, the paradox is that the value of the human in the loop is only increasing.... Training, educating and honing the skills of human beings are going to be essential,” Chaudhari said, reiterating that in the ‘Force of the Future’ human beings will continue to play a major role.

 

While striving for self-reliance, it is important to learn from occasional setbacks, as in the case of Kaveri engine, developed by DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment, for fighter jets. The development of the engine was significantly delayed due to shortages of critical materials, reliance on imports, and inadequate testing infrastructure among others. Despite these setbacks, it was ultimately completed. However, as the LCA Tejas flight operational clearance configuration demanded higher thrust, Kaveri engines in the present architecture cannot be integrated into them. Nonetheless, the engine’s success showcases India’s ability to develop advanced systems indigenously.

 

At a session moderated by Air Marshal Ajay Kumar Arora (Retd), former air OIC maintenance, a panel of experts―Dr Ramanamurthy, director, GRTE; Anshuman Tripathi, ex-member, National Security Advisory Board; V. Venkat Raju, MD, VEM Technologies; and Air Vice Marshal Suresh Singh (Retd) agreed that India cannot hope for total technology transfer from foreign original equipment manufacturers, and the only way ahead is to build in India. The government must have faith in private players and create and fund a consortium to develop engines. The knowledge, exposure and proficiency the industry players have gained over the past few years will come to their aid when planning to build a fighter engine or other such equipment. The panellists agreed that one of the most crucial aspects in this regard is recruiting the right talent.

 

Sanjeev Kumar, secretary, Department of Defence Production, said the efforts to make in India for India and the world have been facilitated as various processes like licensing and export permission have become more streamlined. India’s private sector, now an integral part of the global supply chain, is leading the export of defence equipment while DPSUs, too, have emerged as a trusted export partner. Kumar observed that the sector, particularly startups and MSMEs, still requires some degree of government hand-holding, particularly in terms of funding. Over the years, Indian products have gained global acceptance by consistently delivering on quality, precision and dependability. Despite significant progress, India has not yet achieved the status of being the singular preferred choice in global exports―a benchmark that, according to Kumar, the industry must strive towards.

 

India is ready to make for the world, the panel moderated by Maj Gen K.V. Jauhar, former DG, Army Design Bureau, affirmed. However, before focusing on export, it is important to make quality products to meet the requirements of India’s tri-services, and then the world will come calling. The panellists―Dharmendra K. Singh, joint secretary and acquisition manager (Air), Ministry of Defence; Dr Atul D. Rane, former CMD, Brahmos; Venkat Katkuri, head, defence and space, India & South Asia, Airbus; and Dr C. Ramanarayanan, former director GTRE― wanted India to identify its strengths, build design and development capacity within private sector, encourage the transfer of technology from foreign partners to domestic manufacturers, ensure a stable tax regime, and strategically leverage its neutral geopolitical stance to boost exports.

 

The panel wanted private players to scale up exports and called for better marketing, a dedicated export wing, and cutting out middlemen in key foreign markets. All countries that have fighter jet engines have a civil engine programme as well, and this is something India should also aspire for. While the ease of doing business is crucial, the panel said it is equally important to ensure the speed of doing business.

 

Admiral Sunil Lanba, former Navy chief emphasised the need for a focused approach for India to be a holistic maritime power. “Only if you have a national security strategy, can you have a national defence strategy and then you can build on the force of the future,” he said. India is not in a favourable position in shipbuilding capacity, especially in comparison with China, whose capabilities remain unmatched globally, Admiral Lanba observed. The PSU shipbuilders are wholly dependent on the Navy and Coast Guard for orders. “If we want a maritime force of the future that will support India’s regional ambitions, we need a large blue water navy based on three carrier battle groups able to operate freely in the Indian Ocean,” he said.

 

The panel that dealt with the theme ‘Building a Builder’s Navy’ included Commodore R.S. Vasan (Retd), DG, Chennai Centre for China Studies; Jathesh Chandra, director general (design), Cochin Shipyard; and Cdr Vasudev Puranik, director (corporate planning & personnel), Mazagon Dock. It was moderated by Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, controller of Warship Production & Acquisition. The panel agreed with Admiral Lanba that relying solely on orders from the Indian Navy and Coast Guard is not a sustainable path for shipbuilders, and emphasised the need for companies to diversify their order books.

 

The panel pointed out that though India started much late, it managed to make significant strides, and built aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines. According to the panel, Indian shipbuilding has reached a place where it is capable of meeting the needs of the country and make for the world. The sector still requires government support, particularly through vendor development programmes, industry-academia collaboration, and investments in universities to cultivate a skilled and competent workforce.

 

According to DRDO Chairperson Samir V. Kamat, India allocates only 5 per cent of its defence budget to research and development, in contrast to countries like the US and China, which invest between 10 and 15 per cent. He noted that the fear of failure is holding India back, but it is important to remember that R&D is inherently subject to failure. Unless we are willing to accept this, close projects that fail, and move on, we will never be willing to take risks or pursue cutting-edge projects, he said. Kamat pointed out that while defence projects require an element of secrecy if we truly want high-quality R&D, we need to be willing to work closely with academia, industry and startups.

 

The panel that followed his talk, with the theme ‘Deep and Niche Technologies: Where are We?’ was moderated by Lt General M.U. Nair (Retd), National Cyber Security coordinator. The panellists included Lt General D.S. Rana, DG, Defence Intelligence Agency; Maj General Shantanu Kashyap, ADG, Army Aviation Corps; R.R. Swain, former DGP, J&K; Air Vice Marshal Rajeeva Ranjan (Retd) and Tarun Wig, co-founder & CEO, Innefu Labs. They looked at how technology, which is capable of changing the outcome of wars, is certainly a double-edged sword as the adversary, too, has the resources to circumvent it, necessitating better coordination between various security agencies to outsmart the enemy.

 

The panel emphasised that although advanced technologies play a crucial role in defence, affordable and scalable and disruptive solutions are equally important. India needs to learn from the different tech threats emerging in various places and battlefields across the world and design technologies specific to the threats it is facing. If we need to stay ahead of our adversaries, we need to be techno commanders and leverage the experience of the private sector in deep and niche technologies.

 

The panel that discussed ‘To Make or to Buy?’ agreed that it is not always easy for India to make its own weapons as the choice between make and buy is shaped by the operational urgency, budgetary constraints, indigenisation goal and defence procurement manual guidelines. The panel was moderated by R.K. Mathur, former defence secretary and former lieutenant governor, Ladakh, and the panellists included Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, deputy chief of Integrated Defence Staff; Lt General Rahul R. Singh, deputy chief of Army staff; Lt General A.D.S. Aujla, Master General Sustenance, Indian Army, and Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor (Retd), former director general, (inspection & safety), IAF. The panel pitched for a hybrid model in which ‘make’ will take predominance while procurement will be based on case-to-case basis, especially when there is a need to get niche technology quick.

 

This panel felt that access to niche technologies will enable India’s industry to invest and invent faster. It was pointed out that original equipment manufacturers take considerable time to implement the modifications requested by India during the procurement process, and even as these changes are being incorporated, the risk of technology moving on cannot be discounted.

 

The last panel dealt with the theme ‘Startups and MSMEs: Challenges, Opportunities and Expectations from the Government’. The panellists included Commodore Arun P. Golaya, former OIC, technology development, acceleration cell, Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation; Prof Manan Suri, IIT Delhi; Abhishek Jain, founder-chairman, startup forum, Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers; Rini Bansal, director, Carbon Light; Dr Rashi Mehrotra, director, Aikairos; and Dr Nagendra Babu Samineni, MD, Unistring Tech. They said atmanirbharta does not mean doing everything by yourself, but creating inter-dependency with other friendly nations. According to the panel, moderated by Major Raj Prasad R.S., service innovator, Army Design Bureau, India should have an extremely progressive and open intellectual property rights policy to foster innovation. The experts also called for greater collaboration between DPSUs, startups and MSMEs to sustain a healthy defence manufacturing ecosystem.

 

The conclave served as a timely reminder that building the ‘Force of the Future’ requires not just vision, but sustained and inclusive action.

The Week