India’s Biggest Defence Pavilion Yet Steals the Spotlight at DSA & NSA 2026

At DSA & NSA 2026 in Kuala Lumpur (20–23 April), Additional Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Dinesh Mahur led the Indian delegation, underscoring New Delhi’s intent to expand defence exports. The joint inauguration of the India Pavilion by Shri Mahur and High Commissioner B N Reddy adds weight to the country’s presence.

Defence Services Asia (DSA) National Security Asia (NSA) 2026 is Asia’s largest defence and homeland security exhibition, held from 20–23 April 2026 at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur. It brings together over 1,400 companies from 60+ countries, 500 international delegations, and 50,000 trade visitors, making it a premier global platform for defence exports, technology showcases, and strategic cooperation.

Indian delegation at the 19th edition of Defence Services Asia & Network Security Asia 2026 in Kuala Lumpur marked a major push to expand India's defence exports.

Key Highlights of India Pavilion

• Largest-ever participation: 25 companies showcasing India’s defence capabilities.
• DPSUs present: HAL, MDL, Bharat Dynamics Ltd, Munitions India Ltd, Advanced Weapons & Equipment Ltd.
• Private industry & IDEX startups: Reflecting innovation and competitiveness.
• Strategic significance: Expanding India’s global defence footprint and industry capability.

India’s Pavilion at DSA & NSA 2026

List of Indian Participants

• DPSUs: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Munitions India Limited (MIL), Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), BrahMos Aerospace.
• Private Defence Industry: Indian private defence manufacturers showcasing armoured solutions, UAVs, electronic warfare systems, and cyber defence technologies.
• IDEX Startups: Innovation-driven firms focusing on AI, robotics, unmanned systems, advanced sensors, and cyber security solutions.

Strategic Significance

• Largest-ever participation: 25 companies signal India’s intent to become a major defence exporter.
• Balanced mix: DPSUs, private industry, and startups show comprehensive capability spectrum.
• Regional outreach: Strengthens ties with Malaysia and ASEAN nations.

Note: Official sources confirm six DPSUs + BrahMos Aerospace; names of private firms and startups are part of the 25-company delegation but not fully disclosed publicly.

India Pavilion at DSA: Evolution (Pre‑2014 to 2026)

Pre‑2014 Era

• Limited Delegations: India’s presence was small, led mainly by DPSUs such as HAL, BDL, and MDL.
• Focus Areas: Aircraft platforms, missile systems, and naval shipbuilding.
• Private Industry: Minimal involvement; pavilion was dominated by state‑owned enterprises.
• Innovation: No startups or MSMEs — IDEX ecosystem did not exist yet.
• Strategic Context: India was largely seen as a defence importer, and participation was symbolic, aimed at visibility in ASEAN rather than exports.

2016–2026: Growth Over the Decade

Year	Location	Scale of Participation	Key Highlights
2016 (15th edition)	Kuala Lumpur	Small delegation	HAL aircraft, BDL missiles, naval systems; limited private industry.
2018 (16th edition)	Kuala Lumpur	Expanded DPSU presence	BrahMos Aerospace showcased for the first time; ASEAN outreach.
2020 (17th edition)	Kuala Lumpur	Moderate participation	Pandemic disruptions; focus on “Make in India” products.
2022 (18th edition)	Kuala Lumpur	15+ companies	Mix of DPSUs + private industry; Atmanirbhar Bharat emphasis.
2024 (19th edition)	Kuala Lumpur	20+ companies	MSMEs and IDEX startups included; UAVs, cyber defence, AI.
2026 (20th edition)	Kuala Lumpur	Largest-ever: 25 companies	Led by Shri Dinesh Mahur; joint inauguration with High Commissioner B N Reddy; DPSUs HAL, MDL, BDL, MIL, AWEIL, BrahMos Aerospace, plus private industry and IDEX startups.

Key Trends

• Shift from Importer to Exporter: Pavilion evolved from legacy DPSU showcases to export‑ready systems.
• Innovation Push: Post‑2022, startups and MSMEs became central, highlighting AI, robotics, UAVs, and cyber defence.
• Regional Diplomacy: Participation increasingly used to strengthen ASEAN defence ties.
• Record Scale in 2026: Largest‑ever pavilion with 25 companies, marking India’s ambition to be a global supplier.

In summary: Pre‑2014 India Pavilion was small and DPSU‑centric. Post‑2014 reforms transformed it into a diverse, export‑oriented showcase, culminating in the landmark 2026 participation with 25 companies — India’s biggest and most strategic presence yet.

Acclimatization BootCamp (ABC) for Defense Startups Launched By Defense Minister At IIT Hyderabad

Hon’ble Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh launches Acclimatization BootCamp (ABC) for Defense Startups, a program by iTIC Incubator at IIT Hyderabad during DefExpo 2022

Highlights:

• A unique program by iTIC Incubator at IIT Hyderabad in collaboration with iDEX DIO
• ABC for Defense Startups would help civilian technology startups convert their innovations to defense applications
• 4-month program at IIT Hyderabad
• The first cohort would have 10-12 startups

iTIC Incubator at IIT Hyderabad, in collaboration with iDEX DIO (Innovations for Defense Excellence - Defense Innovation Organization), has designed a unique program to acclimatize relevant civilian tech startups into defense applications. Acclimatization Boot Camp for Defense Startups was launched yesterday by our Hon’ble Minister of Defense, Shri Rajnath Singh, at DefExpo 2022 Gandhinagar.

The ABC for Defense Startups would be a 4-month long program and would select 10-12 startups in their first cohort. These startups would be connected to the knowledge partners, which include serving and retired armed forces. These mentors would understand the technology of the startup and connect the use case for the same in defense applications. After narrowing down the problem statement mutually, a startup would build a prototype with the help of iTIC Incubator at IIT Hyderabad and run it through mentors to validate the solution. At the end of the boot camp, startups would be trained in writing proposals for grants and procurements. The aim of this boot camp is to acclimatize a startup with civilian technology, find a use case in defense, and help apply for grants and procurements for defense.

Shri Rajnath Singh, while launching the program, congratulated iTIC Incubator and iDEX teams and stated, “It is good to see iDEX and iTIC Incubator at IIT Hyderabad are collaborating and designing a new program. This will boost our defence ecosystem lot.’’

“Startups can apply to this program at www.itic.iith.ac.in/abcd. The deadline for applications is November 18, 2022, and the program kickstarts on December 8 onwards. Benefits for startups include feedback from the defense ecosystem, access to iTIC and IITH infrastructure, proposal writing for defense procurements and grants, and access to the defense market. Listing out these benefits to the startups under the program”, Prof B S Murty, Director IITH expressed his confidence in the success of the initiative and welcomed the startups to make use of this unique program.

About iTIC Incubator at IIT Hyderabad

iTIC is a Technology Business Incubator (TBI) under the aegis of the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) and supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. iTIC is a Not-For-Profit Society that focuses on creating a supportive and nourishing environment for budding entrepreneurs in the field of technology. The focus areas of iTIC incubator are Deep tech sectors such as Healthcare, AI/ML, Quantum Computing, AR/VR, Cybersecurity, Robotics, IOT, Industry 4.0, Blockchain, Electronics, Advanced materials, Drones, Biotechnology, etc. iTIC aims to help entrepreneurs leverage a premier quality research and startup ecosystem with the goal of building a comprehensive platform to practice innovation and entrepreneurship so that these entrepreneurial ideas can be turned into sustainable, scalable profit-making business ventures. iTIC provides support to startups such as Mentoring, Financial Aid, IP Support, Networking, and access to Dedicated office/ Coworking space, Software, IITH Technological Infrastructure, and Makerlab.

Since its inception in 2015, iTIC has supported 125+ startups through Pre-incubation, Incubation, and Acceleration programs and has sanctioned more than INR 8 crores to startups directly while supporting the startups in raising more than INR 50 crores from external sources. So far, the iTIC startups have generated more than INR 800 crores of revenues and created 1000+ jobs.

About IIT Hyderabad

Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) is one of the eight new IITs established by the Government of India in 2008. In a short span of 14 years, the institute has become a top-ranker. It has 287 full-time faculty, ~3,800 students, 18+1 Departments + Centre for Interdisciplinary Program, nearly 200+ state-of-the-art laboratories, and five research and entrepreneurship centers. The institute has a strong research focus with approx. Rs 535+ crore of sanctioned research funding, with PhD scholars accounting for about 30% of total student strength. IITH has more than 7,500+ research publications with 1,00,000+ Citations, 190+ Published Patents, 1,700+ sponsored/consultancy projects with 500+ running projects, and about 100+ startups.

To know more, please visit https://www.iith.ac.in/.

SIDBI Joins Hands with UPEIDA to Support MSMEs in Aerospace & Defence (A&D) Sector

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), the country's principal financial institution engaged in the promotion, financing, and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) to enlarge the financial outreach and to support MSMEs in Aerospace & Defence (A&D) sector through direct financing.

The MoU executed by Shri V. Satya Venkata Rao, Deputy Managing Director, SIDBI and Shri Awanish Kumar Awasthi, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, UPEIDA, was, formally exchanged by Shri Prakash Kumar, Chief General Manager, SIDBI.

Under the MoU, SIDBI would consider funding financial requirements of MSMEs setting up/ having units in Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) and other industrial areas developed by UPEIDA. The MoU would help MSMEs to set up industrial units in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The key highlights of the arrangement are —

• when any allotment letter(s) for industrial land are issued by UPEIDA, it shall provide details of allottees to SIDBI, 
• SIDBI will contact the allottees for their financial needs. On receipt of the duly filled in application, SIDBI will process the same as per guidelines, 
• the present arrangement is aimed at development of a strong foundation for MSMEs in the state of Uttar Pradesh, which would attract investment from allottees and accelerate implementation of their projects, and 
• UPEIDA and SIDBI shall extend mutual co-operation for various other initiatives being undertaken for the benefit of MSMEs in UPDIC and other industrial areas developed by UPEIDA, which shall include, holding/ participating in outreach events, seminars and webinars for creating awareness among MSMEs about various financial products and initiatives being undertaken by SIDBI, including a dedicated web-portal (defence.sidbi.in), knowledge series for MSMEs in A&D sector, etc.

As regards the arrangement with UPEIDA, Shri V. Satya Venkata Rao, Deputy Managing Director, SIDBI said, "SIDBI's emphasis is on strengthening the MSME eco-system and realizing GoI's ideology of "Make In India" and making India "Self-reliant". This arrangement will support MSMEs setting up industrial units in the State of Uttar Pradesh by meeting their credit needs as well as addressing credit-plus requirements, viz, knowledge inputs through dedicated web-portal, literature, events/webinars etc."

About SIDBI: Since its formation in 1990, SIDBI has been impacting the lives of citizens across various strata of the society through its integrated, innovative and inclusive approach. Be it traditional, domestic small entrepreneurs, bottom-of-the-pyramid entrepreneurs, to high-end knowledge-based entrepreneurs, SIDBI has directly or indirectly touched the lives of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) through various credit and developmental engagements. SIDBI 2.0 carries the vision of inclusive, innovative and impact-oriented engagements.

To know more, check out: https://www.sidbi.in

Govt Releases Details of Promotion of Startups in Defence Sector under ‘Aatmanirbhar Mission’

Government is making efforts to promote start-ups in the defence sector under ‘Aatmanirbhar Mission’ to localize the production of defence sector products. This information below was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumarin Rajya Sabha today.

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The details are as under:

• Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework, was launched by Department of Defence Production, with the aim to achieve self-reliance and to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace Sectors by engaging Industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia.
• Under iDEX, the projects or problem statements are identified based on the requirements projected by the Armed Forces, OFB&DPSUs.  58 iDEX winners have so far been identified for 18 problem statements/challenges under three rounds of Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC).
• Separate procedure for ‘Make-II’ category (Industry funded) has been notified under Defence Procurement Procedure to encourage indigenous development and manufacture of defence equipment. Number of industry friendly provisions such as relaxation of eligibility criterion, minimal documentation, provision for considering proposals suggested by industry including start-ups/individual etc. have been introduced in this procedure.

Government has proposed to set up innovative centres in institutions and organizations in the country. The details is as follows:

• DRDO has created eight Advanced technology centres across India to carryout research activities in the identified futuristic/new technology areas.  These technology centres provide support to Academia to carry out directed research in the identified thrust areas related to defence applications.
• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog has set up a total of 68 Incubation centres across the country.  Some AIM incubators focus on areas closely associated with deep-tech, aerospace etc.  CODISSIA Defence Innovation and Atal Incubation Centre is a specific incubator which focuses on Defence Innovations and start-ups.
• iDEX envisages to engage with existing Defence Innovation Hubs (defence related MSME clusters) and create new hubs where innovators can get information about needs and feedback from the services directly and create solutions for India’s major defence platforms.  9 Institutions have been identified and are working as partner incubators to support activities under iDEX.