Raksha Mantri To Inaugurate National Defence Industries Conclave 2026

18 Mar 2026 CW Team

The conclave will bring together Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), private defence firms, policymakers, academia and technology providers to facilitate policy dialogue, promote innovation and expand the defence supply chain. The event is expected to encourage non-defence industries to explore defence manufacturing opportunities and to foster industry-academia collaborative research and development. The Raksha Mantri will also inaugurate an exhibition showcasing advanced manufacturing technologies and defence innovations.

The exhibition will feature stalls from large private defence companies and public sector firms presenting initiatives and programmes to engage MSMEs as partners and suppliers, and 24 Indian and foreign firms will showcase advanced manufacturing technologies. The displays and interactions are expected to encourage partnerships among private manufacturers, Defence Public Sector Undertakings and technology providers, thereby contributing to a self-reliant and globally competitive defence manufacturing ecosystem. Several challenges for start-ups and MSMEs issued by the Defence Forces and Defence Public Sector Undertakings will be launched alongside publications on defence manufacturing and policy reforms.

The event will host thematic sessions on aerospace, naval systems, defence electronics, advanced materials and platforms and will build on momentum from 12 State-Level MSME conclaves this year. It is expected to accelerate India's progress towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The National Defence Industries Conclave 2026 organised by the Department of Defence Production will be held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi on March 19-20, 2026 and will be inaugurated by the Raksha Mantri. The two-day event aims to integrate Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) into India's defence manufacturing ecosystem and to promote advanced technologies including automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, additive manufacturing, digital twins and smart materials. The initiative supports the Government's vision of Aatmanirbharta in defence and aims to enhance India's technological capability and global competitiveness in defence production. The conclave will bring together Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), private defence firms, policymakers, academia and technology providers to facilitate policy dialogue, promote innovation and expand the defence supply chain. The event is expected to encourage non-defence industries to explore defence manufacturing opportunities and to foster industry-academia collaborative research and development. The Raksha Mantri will also inaugurate an exhibition showcasing advanced manufacturing technologies and defence innovations. The exhibition will feature stalls from large private defence companies and public sector firms presenting initiatives and programmes to engage MSMEs as partners and suppliers, and 24 Indian and foreign firms will showcase advanced manufacturing technologies. The displays and interactions are expected to encourage partnerships among private manufacturers, Defence Public Sector Undertakings and technology providers, thereby contributing to a self-reliant and globally competitive defence manufacturing ecosystem. Several challenges for start-ups and MSMEs issued by the Defence Forces and Defence Public Sector Undertakings will be launched alongside publications on defence manufacturing and policy reforms. The event will host thematic sessions on aerospace, naval systems, defence electronics, advanced materials and platforms and will build on momentum from 12 State-Level MSME conclaves this year. It is expected to accelerate India's progress towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..