At VIMARSH 2026, Defence Minister launches framework for secure sharing of DRDO software source codes; nine technology-transfer agreements handed to 13 manufacturing partners

New Delhi, September 15: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday unveiled a series of policy initiatives aimed at deepening collaboration between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian industry, particularly MSMEs and deep-tech start-ups, as part of efforts to accelerate indigenous defence manufacturing and reduce technological dependence on imports.

The initiatives were announced at ‘VIMARSH 2026’, the DRDO-Industry Synergy Meet, held in New Delhi, where the Defence Minister called for a fundamental expansion of the DRDO-industry relationship—from a conventional production arrangement to collaboration across the entire defence technology value chain.

The five-day event’s theme, ‘Varta se Vikas’, brought together more than 250 defence industry leaders, industry representatives, senior civil and military officials and DRDO scientists.

New Framework to Lower Entry Barriers for MSMEs and Start-ups

A major announcement at the event was a comprehensive framework aimed at lowering technical and financial entry barriers for MSMEs and deep-tech start-ups seeking to participate in defence research and development.

The framework will provide avenues for:

• Direct funding support
• Incubation and mentorship
• Access to DRDO testing facilities
• Greater opportunities for industry-led research and development
• Stronger academia-industry collaboration

The objective is to enable smaller companies and emerging technology firms to participate more effectively in defence innovation rather than remaining peripheral suppliers to large defence manufacturers.

Singh described MSMEs and start-ups as important drivers of India’s innovation ecosystem and stressed the need to integrate them into the defence supply chain alongside major companies.

Secure Software Source-Code Sharing Framework Launched

Another significant initiative announced at VIMARSH was a standardised and secure framework for sharing DRDO-developed software source codes with licensee industries.

The initiative is intended to support the development of software-defined defence capabilities while helping industry address technological obsolescence more efficiently.

As defence systems increasingly depend on software, access to relevant source code can become important for upgrades, maintenance and adaptation of systems over their operational lifecycles.

The new framework seeks to establish a controlled mechanism through which eligible licensee industries can access DRDO-developed software while maintaining appropriate security safeguards.

Nine Technology Transfer Agreements Handed Over

During the event, nine Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToTs) were handed over to 13 manufacturing partners.

The agreements will enable the participating companies to undertake commercial production of advanced systems developed by DRDO.

Technology transfer is a key component of India’s defence-indigenisation strategy, allowing technologies developed in government laboratories to move into industrial production and ultimately into the defence supply chain.

The initiative is also expected to expand manufacturing capacity and create opportunities for MSMEs associated with larger defence programmes.

Rajnath Singh Calls for Full Value-Chain Collaboration

Addressing the gathering, Rajnath Singh said DRDO-industry collaboration should no longer be restricted to manufacturing alone.

He called for greater cooperation across research, design, testing, certification and production, arguing that such an integrated approach would help India emerge as a global defence manufacturing hub.

The Defence Minister highlighted the complementary strengths of different components of the ecosystem: DRDO’s technological knowledge, industry’s manufacturing scale, start-ups’ innovation and agility, and the country’s young talent pool.

According to Singh, bringing these capabilities together would strengthen India’s ability to develop and manufacture critical defence technologies domestically.

Viksit Bharat and Defence Technology Self-Reliance

Singh linked the defence-indigenisation drive to the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 objective.

He said the goal extends beyond economic growth and includes building a nation that is technologically self-reliant, socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable and strategically secure.

He set out an ambition for India to achieve greater self-reliance in critical technologies by 2047, increase indigenous content in defence systems, substantially expand defence exports and establish a stronger presence in global supply chains.

The Defence Minister stressed that technological self-reliance would increasingly determine strategic advantage as warfare becomes more technology-driven.

AI, Quantum, Hypersonics and Directed Energy

The new policy initiatives are intended to encourage investment in emerging technologies with potential defence applications.

Among the areas highlighted were:

Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonic technologies and directed-energy systems.

Other sectors identified as offering significant opportunities for Indian MSMEs and start-ups include drone technology and cybersecurity.

The focus reflects the changing character of warfare, where technological superiority can influence everything from intelligence gathering and decision-making to precision strike and electronic operations.

India’s Defence Innovation Ecosystem

Singh also highlighted several reforms introduced over recent years to expand private-sector participation in defence innovation.

These include the Positive Indigenisation Lists, Make in India, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), ADITI, and the decision to allocate 25% of the defence R&D budget to the private sector.

The government has also been supporting start-ups through the Technology Development Fund, with several technologies progressing from development towards production.

According to Singh, iDEX has helped create an ecosystem in which start-ups develop solutions in response to actual operational requirements of the Armed Forces.

More Than 2,300 Technology Transfers

Defence Secretary and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Rajesh Kumar Singh highlighted the scale of technology transfer achieved through the government’s self-reliance initiatives.

He said that more than 2,300 Technology Transfers (ToTs) have so far been handed over to over 1,100 industries.

He further stated that technologies related to approximately 50 DRDO-developed missiles have been made available to industry to encourage wider industrial participation.

According to him, expanded technology transfer has helped establish parallel production lines, expand manufacturing capacity and create opportunities for MSMEs.

SAMAR 2.0 Manufacturing Assessment Framework

DRDO also signed a contract with the Quality Council of India for System for Advance Manufacturing Assessment and Rating (SAMAR) Version 2.0.

The framework is intended to benchmark the manufacturing maturity of domestic defence enterprises.

Such standardised assessment can help identify industrial capabilities and areas requiring improvement while encouraging companies to enhance manufacturing processes and quality standards.

Strategic MoUs were also exchanged with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB) to expand industry outreach and strengthen participation at the grassroots level.

Technical Roadmaps Across Major Defence Sectors

During technical sessions, Directors General of DRDO’s technological clusters presented roadmaps covering several key areas, including:

• Aeronautical Systems
• Missiles
• Armaments
• Microelectronics
• Naval Systems

DRDO Headquarters also introduced measures aimed at simplifying procedural requirements, accelerating access to testing facilities and reducing technology-licensing timelines.

These steps are intended to make it easier and faster for private companies to absorb and commercialise DRDO technologies.

From Buyer-Seller Model to Co-Creation

One of the broader themes emerging from VIMARSH 2026 was the transition from a traditional buyer-seller relationship between government and industry towards a collaborative technology ecosystem.

Rajesh Kumar Singh said the forum was designed to align commercial innovation with national defence requirements and integrate private-sector capabilities into the core defence ecosystem.

A high-level panel involving DRDO, the Department of Defence Production and representatives of the Armed Forces discussed ways to accelerate technology absorption, optimise Development-cum-Production Partner models, and ensure faster induction of indigenous technologies into operational service.

New DRDO Publications and HR Guidelines

Two additional initiatives were unveiled during the event.

A book titled ‘Defence Systems for Resilient Bharat – Advancing Aatmanirbharta in Defence’ was released. The compilation documents significant defence systems developed by DRDO’s technology clusters between 2014 and 2026.

Guidelines for Human Resource Outsourcing Service Contracts in DRDO were also released, providing a framework for service specifications, selection of service providers, contract administration, performance monitoring and statutory compliance.

Key Takeaways

• Rajnath Singh unveiled new measures to strengthen DRDO-industry collaboration.
• Policy framework aims to lower technical and financial entry barriers for MSMEs and deep-tech start-ups.
• New framework enables secure sharing of DRDO-developed software source codes with eligible licensee industries.
• Nine LAToTs were handed over to 13 manufacturing partners.
• MoUs exchanged with SIDM and Laghu Udyog Bharati to expand industry outreach.
• DRDO signed a contract with Quality Council of India for SAMAR 2.0.
• More than 2,300 Technology Transfers have reportedly been handed over to over 1,100 industries.
• Technologies related to around 50 DRDO-developed missiles have been made available to industry, according to the Defence Secretary.
• Focus areas include AI, quantum computing, hypersonics, directed energy, drones and cybersecurity.
• More than 250 industry leaders, officials and scientists attended VIMARSH 2026.
• Government aims to make MSMEs and start-ups integral components of the defence supply chain.

A Push Towards a Globally Competitive Defence Industry

VIMARSH 2026 signals an effort to deepen India’s defence industrial ecosystem by connecting government R&D, private manufacturing, start-up innovation and military requirements more closely.

The emphasis on technology transfer, secure software access, testing facilities and industry-led R&D could give smaller companies greater opportunities to participate in sophisticated defence programmes.

For India, the larger objective is not simply to manufacture more defence equipment domestically, but to develop the technology, intellectual property, industrial capacity and skilled workforce required to compete in global defence markets.

As Rajnath Singh emphasised, companies investing in emerging technologies today could become the leaders of tomorrow, particularly as technological superiority becomes an increasingly decisive factor in modern warfare.

VIMARSH 2026 thus places DRDO–industry collaboration at the centre of India’s next phase of defence self-reliance—moving from technology development and licensed production towards a more integrated ecosystem capable of designing, testing, manufacturing and exporting advanced defence systems.