Powering the next era of mechanised warfare through indigenous innovation, advanced technologies and mission-ready solutions. MECH TECH SYMPOSIUM 2026 brings together defence stakeholders and industry leaders to address critical operational challenges, enhance combat effectiveness and strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence capabilities. Date: 14-15 December 2026 Venue: Chandimandir Cantt., Chandigarh For registration: forms.zohopublic.in/societyo… #MechTechSymposium2026 #MechanisedWarfare #AtmanirbharBharat #DefenceInnovation #DefenceTechnology

Swavlamban 2026: Day 1 ⚓ The fifth edition of SWAVLAMBAN , organised by Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation in collaboration with SOCIETY OF INDIAN DEFENCE MANUFACTURERS supported by IDEX, Dept of Defence Production Ministry of Defence is being held at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The day opened with the thematic exhibition, inaugurated by the Chief of the Naval Staff alongside DG SIDM showcased indigenous technologies in Maritime Surveillance, Counter-UAS, Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technologies from AROUND 100 defence startups & MSMEs. Later in the Inaugural Session, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, in his keynote address, stressed that delivering capabilities faster requires mechanisms for collaboration. He highlighted that solutions emerging from iDEX can be broken down and put to dual use, serving both defence and civil society. Mr Neeraj Gupta, Vice President, SIDM, outlined the industry perspective on innovation and self-reliance. The day concluded with a plenary session graced by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh as Chief Guest. He highlighted self-reliance driven through the iDEX ecosystem, resilient domestic supply chains and academic entrepreneurship. He expressed confidence that innovators will be “impact players” in Phase 2 of India’s Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) journey, where products must be made in India and also be cost-effective and operationally superior. The Chief of the Naval Staff noted that Swavlamban has so far showcased technologies with procurement approvals worth over ₹3,500 crore, and that AoN worth ₹1,900 crore has been accorded to Indian innovators for indigenous systems. #Swavlamban2026 #IndianNavy #SIDM #Aatmanirbharta #iDEX #DefenceIndigenisation

MECH TECH SEMINAR 2.0 | CURTAIN RAISER #WesternCommand will host MECH TECH Seminar 2.0 at Chandimandir in December 2026, focusing on technological transformation of mechanised forces through indigenous innovation and emerging technologies. As a precursor, Western Command, in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (#SIDM), organised a Curtain Raiser at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, highlighting key operational problem statements, technological priorities and the roadmap for collaborative solutions. Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh, AVSM, SM**, Army Commander, #WesternCommand, unveiled the Compendium of Problem Definition Statements (CPDS) and the official logo of Mech Tech Seminar 2.0. He emphasised rapid technology absorption, #Atmanirbharta and stronger Army–Industry–Academia synergy to make mechanised forces and platforms future-ready. The main seminar will bring together domain experts, industry and startups for deliberations, showcasing of innovations and live demonstrations in AI-enabled warfare, Next-Gen Armoured Fighting Vehicles, drone technologies and advanced combat systems. Innovate Today. Dominate Tomorrow. #JAIseVIJAY #TechnologicalTransformation #AtmanirbharBharat @adgpi @SIDMIndia @SpokespersonMoD @prodefencechan1 @prodefencejammu

Mech Tech 2.0 Curtain Raiser: Transforming Existing Platforms for Future Combat HQ Western Command (Indian Army) in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), organised Curtain Raiser to announce MECH TECH 2.0 scheduled to be held in December 2026. It was graced by the Lt. Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh, AVSM, SM & bar, GOC-in-C Western Command, Mr Neeraj Gupta (VP, SIDM) and senior officers, with overwhelming representation from Defence industry and startups. The focus of the seminar was “Transforming existing platforms for future combat” by upgrading and extending the life of current platforms through modular, indigenous technology. In the keynote address, the GOC-in-C stressed that Mech Tech 2.0 is not merely a modernisation initiative but an operational imperative. He called for upgradation, refurbishment and life extension of existing platforms through indigenous solutions, and emphasised that success will be measured by the quality of solutions and demonstrated military utility, not the scale of the exhibition. Key highlights included the release of the Compendium of Problem Definition Statements across eight domains, the unveiling of the Mech Tech 2.0 logo, and valuable industry-military interactions. The event concluded with a presentation by Maj Gen Prashant Singh Kanwar, GOC 1 Armoured Division on the problem definition statements, tracing the path from operational gap to fielded capability. #MechTech2 #IndianArmy #WesternCommand #SIDM #AtmanirbharBharat #DefenceInnovation

*MECH TECH SEMINAR 2.0 | THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS* Western Command, in collaboration with SIDM, is set to unveil the vision for #MechTechSeminar2.0 at its Curtain Raiser on 26 Oct 2026 at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. Centred on the theme of Transforming Existing Platforms for Future Combat, the initiative aims to accelerate technological transformation of Mechanised Forces through innovation, collaboration and indigenous capability development. The Curtain Raiser will set the stage for the Main Seminar in December 2026 at Chandimandir Military Station. *Innovate Today. Dominate Tomorrow.* #JAIseVIJAY #OnPathToTransformation #AtmanirbharBharat #SashaktBharat @adgpi @SIDMIndia @SpokespersonMoD @prodefencechan1 @prodedencejammu

SIDM and the Embassy of India in Berlin organised the 6th Indo-German Defence Industrial Roundtable on 22 October 2026 in Augsburg, bringing government and industry together to explore joint development, manufacturing and defence technology partnerships. Ambassador Shri Ajit Gupte emphasised sustainable industrial partnerships, while Dr Garima Bhagat and Brig Gen Michael Bender highlighted investment, joint manufacturing and practical cooperation. SIDM reaffirmed the readiness of Indian industry to meet evolving geopolitical demands and expressed interest in deeper collaboration with German industry and future engagements with BDSV. Discussions focused on integrating defence supply chains, fostering startup partnerships, technology sharing and IP protection, with a shared vision of jointly designing, developing, manufacturing and exporting defence products. The roundtable was followed by B2B meetings. The SIDM delegation, led by Dr Garima Bhagat, Joint Secretary (Land Systems), included 25 industry participants from DPSUs and the private sector. #IndiaGermany #IndiaGermanyDefenceCooperation #MoD #EmbassyOfIndiaInBerlin #ConsulateGeneralOfIndiaMunich

CII in association with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in India, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of Poland, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, and Team Poland, organised a Sectoral Roundtable Discussion on “Defence and Dual Use” in New Delhi on 22 October 2026, on the sidelines of the visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Poland to India.@FollowCII @SIDMIndia @IndiainPoland @PLinIndia @PAIH_pl

SIDM-Indian Embassy in Prague organised Fifth Edition of India Meets Czechia in Prague on 20th October 2026 "Czechia reaffirms its commitment to strengthening defence-industrial ties with India. Potential areas for cooperation include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space technologies, unmanned systems, defence electronics, aerospace and CBRN protection. The role of government-to-government engagement in facilitating dialogue, connecting companies with relevant institutions and helping promising bilateral projects move forward is also important." - Mr Matej Benda, Director of the Department of Defense, Industrial Corporation, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Czechia

SIDM-Indian Embassy in Prague organised Fifth Edition of India Meets Czechia in Prague on 20th October 2026 "There is a growing importance of defence cooperation between the two countries. Three of the five editions of India Meets Czechia have focused on defence, reflecting the significant potential of the sector. The next phase of cooperation should go beyond conventional buyer-seller relationships. Indian companies were encouraged to identify Czech partners with complementary technologies, explore joint production and consider establishing a presence in Czechia as a gateway to the wider European market. Similarly, Czech companies were encouraged to view India not merely as a market but as a long-term industrial and manufacturing partner." - Shri Raveesh Kumar Ambassador of India to Czechia

Strengthening India–Czechia defence industrial partnerships. The Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and the Embassy of India in Prague organised the 5th #IndiaMeetsCzechia session on 20 October, bringing together industry representatives to explore deeper collaboration. Ambassador Shri Raveesh Kumar emphasised identifying the right technology partners, pursuing joint production and establishing a local presence. He encouraged Czech companies to view India as a long-term industrial partner and Indian firms to explore Czechia as a gateway to European markets. Representatives of the Czech government, Mr Matej Benda, Director of the Department of Defense, Industrial Corporation, Ministry of Trade and Industry highlighted opportunities in aerospace, AI, cybersecurity, unmanned systems and defence electronics, stressing mutual trust and the importance of translating dialogue into concrete projects. SIDM, while reiterating India's defence industry matured landscape, presented an overview of opportunities, scope and procedures of joint collaboration while addressing concerns related to IP protection. SIDM also highlighted combining India’s manufacturing capabilities with Czech technological expertise offers opportunities for joint R&D, localisation and stronger supply chains, including partnerships involving MSMEs and startups. The shared direction: co-develop, co-produce and co-export—meeting domestic requirements and reaching third-country markets together. The session ended with interaction between Indian and Czechia defence industry. #SIDM #IndiaCzechia #DefenceCooperation #IndianEmbassyInPrague #MinistryOfDefence

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