India Eyes Defence Unicorn as iDEX Spurs ₹3,000 Cr Innovation Drive

Rajnath Singh Calls for India’s First Defence Unicorn via iDEX

India’s defence innovation landscape is undergoing a powerful transformation. With over 650 startups driving breakthrough solutions under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, the nation is redefining the future of warfare through indigenous technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and autonomous systems.

At the ‘Raksha Navachar Samvaad: Interaction with iDEX Startups’ held ahead of the National Conference at Vigyan Bhawan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inspired entrepreneurs to set a bold new target — to create India’s first Defence Unicorn.

“India has more than 100 unicorns today, but not one in the defence sector. Let the first Defence Unicorn emerge from among you—it will be a matter of pride for the entire nation,” he declared.

Transforming India’s Defence Future Through Innovation

Singh envisioned a future where the battlefield is shaped by algorithms and automation. “Wars of tomorrow will be fought with AI, directed-energy weapons, drones, and quantum technologies. India must not follow global trends but set them,” he emphasized, citing the crucial role of indigenous systems in Operation Sindoor.

The Defence Minister highlighted India’s journey from dependence to confidence, with domestic defence capital acquisitions rising from ₹74,000 crore in FY 2021–22 to ₹1.2 lakh crore in FY 2024–25. This shift, he said, is “a reflection of changing mindsets and growing self-belief.”

To empower Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), the government has reserved 25% of annual defence procurementfor them, and over 350 products are now exclusively earmarked for MSEs. “Self-reliance in defence is no longer a slogan — it is a movement powered by innovation, startups, and the youth,” Singh added.

iDEX: Democratising Defence Innovation

Launched in 2018, iDEX has become a cornerstone of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. The initiative connects young innovators and entrepreneurs with the technological demands of the Indian Armed Forces.

“Through iDEX, we ensured India’s talent works for India’s security,” Singh said. “Earlier, Indian innovators excelled globally in IT and space, but their potential in defence was underused. iDEX changed that.”

Today, iDEX boasts over 650 innovators and prototype procurements worth ₹3,000 crore, marking a new era of indigenous defence manufacturing.

Startups like Refi M. Fiber and Gravity Systems have already proven their mettle during Operation Sindoor and earned national recognition. Their success stories now inspire other innovators and are gaining international attention at platforms such as the Dubai Airshow 2025.

Policy Reforms Fuel the Defence Startup Revolution

Rajnath Singh announced a series of forward-looking reforms to strengthen the defence startup ecosystem. The upcoming Defence Procurement Manual (DPM-2025) promises assured orders for five years, extendable by another five, giving startups long-term stability.

The Ministry is also revising the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) to simplify trials, speed up procurement, and enable direct access for startups to defence production opportunities.

“Through iDEX, the Technology Development Fund, and the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme, we are building an ecosystem where innovation is nurtured, supported, and scaled,” Singh explained.

The Ministry of Defence will also collaborate with DST, DPIIT, and financial institutions to provide end-to-end startup support, from ideation to commercialization.

Defence Innovation: Powering India’s Economic Growth

India’s defence industry has become a key engine of national growth, with production surpassing ₹1.5 lakh crore and exports reaching ₹23,000 crore in the last financial year.

“A strong indigenous defence base is not just a strategic asset but an economic multiplier,” Singh stated. “Our innovators and entrepreneurs are the architects of a new, self-reliant India.”

The Minister reaffirmed that India’s future lies in technology-driven self-reliance, blending national security with global leadership.

Towards a Technologically Self-Reliant India

Organised byiDEX under the Department of Defence Production (DDP), the event featured live demonstrations of breakthrough technologies from iDEX and ADITI, alongside sessions on Scaling Defence Startups, Bridging Innovation and Production, and Accelerating Aatmanirbharta through R&D Collaboration.

Key leaders — including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat, and Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar — joined innovators, MSMEs, and industry stakeholders to chart the roadmap for India’s future in indigenous defence R&D.

Concluding the event, Rajnath Singh declared,

“Our journey in defence innovation is moving from concept to creation, and from vision to victory. Together, we will make India not just self-reliant but a global leader in defence technology.”