Raksha Mantri Presents SIDM Champion Awards 2026 and Calls for Greater Private Sector Participation, R&D Investment and Enhanced Defence Production Capacity

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh presented the SIDM Champion Awards 2026 at the 8th Annual Session of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers in New Delhi, honoring 15 organisations for indigenous technology, innovation, design, import substitution, manufacturing excellence, and exports. He highlighted that India's defence exports reached a record ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26, reflecting over 60% growth compared to the previous year, while reiterating the target of ₹50,000 crore by 2029. Emphasising self-reliance and strategic autonomy, he called for greater private sector participation, increased R&D investment by defence manufacturers, and expanded domestic manufacturing and surge capacity in response to changing modern warfare.