Rajnath Singh Opens Direct Door for Startups at Defence Seminar in Vadodara

VADODARA : In a strong push toward India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday made a striking appeal to startups and industry players, urging them to directly engage with the government to resolve challenges and accelerate innovation under the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.

The Defence Minister was addressing the seminar on “Atmanirbhar Bharat in Aerospace and Defence” held during the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) in Vadodara, where Gujarat secured ₹2,550 crore in fresh defence investments expected to generate over 4,000 jobs.

Encouraging open communication, Singh said, “If startups or industries have issues or suggestions regarding self-reliance in defence and industry, they should come forward. We want to understand your expectations and act on them.”

Taking the interaction further, he made a significant announcement aimed at simplifying access for innovators.“Even if no formal meeting is scheduled, as a startup you can directly seek an appointment with the Defence Minister.”

The statement drew attention from entrepreneurs and defence innovators present at the event, signalling a more accessible and responsive approach from the highest levels of defence policymaking.

During the session, participants raised key issues including testing infrastructure, defence manufacturing ecosystems, raw material availability, and the need for a dedicated defence corridor in Gujarat.

The seminar also witnessed strong participation from DRDO, Indian Air Force, academia, and defence industry leaders. Experts emphasised the shifting nature of warfare, highlighting cyber security, artificial intelligence, drones, and hypersonic technologies as the new frontiers of defence preparedness.

Air Commodore Gyandeep Singh stressed the need to reduce foreign dependency. “Security challenges today extend beyond borders. Indigenous capability and collaboration between industry and armed forces are essential for future readiness.”

DRDO Secretary Dr. Chandrika Kaushik highlighted ongoing indigenous projects such as BrahMos and Akash while underscoring future technologies like AI-based systems and laser weapons.

A major highlight of the event was the signing of four MoUs worth ₹2,550 crore across Gujarat, including investments in aerospace tooling, UAV systems, defence equipment, and engine manufacturing. The projects span Kheda, Rajkot, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad.