Technology
Security is National Security Says Dr Das, Scientist, DRDO at CII TN Defence X
Conclave 2026
Industry, State Government and DRDO outline roadmap to strengthen Tamil
Nadu's role in India's defence manufacturing ecosystem
Chennai, 30
June 2026: "Technology security is national security, and India's future
defence preparedness will be defined by design sovereignty, technology
sovereignty, supply chain sovereignty, knowledge sovereignty and digital
sovereignty and manufacturing alone cannot make India a global power.
Strengthening these strategic capabilities would be critical to building a
resilient and globally competitive defence ecosystem for the country,” said
Dr B K Das, Distinguished Scientist & Director General – (ECS), DRDO, Government
of India, at the CII TN Defence X Conclave 2026 held in Chennai under the theme
"Powering Tamil Nadu's Defence Manufacturing Future."
Highlighting
the rapidly evolving nature of warfare, Dr Das said, “Future defence systems
would increasingly be shaped by artificial intelligence, advanced electronics,
cyber capabilities and digital technologies,”. He cautioned that even a single
disruption in the supply chain could affect an entire defence system,
underlining the need for resilient indigenous capabilities.
Calling
upon industry, MSMEs, startups and academia to work together, he urged them to
build technologies, strengthen innovation and create globally competitive
defence capabilities that will shape India's future security landscape.
Delivering
the theme address, Mr Rajesh Mittal, Chairman – CII TN Defence Manufacturing
Taskforce & President & Managing Director, ISUZU Motors India Private
Limited, said India's defence production has crossed ₹1.5 lakh crore, while
defence exports have reached nearly ₹38,000 crore. He said Tamil Nadu is
uniquely positioned to emerge as a major player in aerospace, defence and
marine manufacturing by leveraging its engineering strengths, industrial base,
Defence Industrial Corridor and supportive policy ecosystem. He urged industry
stakeholders to leverage the opportunities available across defence
manufacturing, technology transfer, testing, maintenance and repair, and work
together towards making Tamil Nadu a leading defence manufacturing hub by 2029.
Mr
Ravichandran Purushothaman, Chairman, CII Southern Region & President
Danfoss India, Danfoss Industries Private Limited, said
Tamil Nadu's mature automotive, electronics and engineering ecosystem provides
a strong foundation for MSMEs to diversify into defence manufacturing. He
stressed the need to leverage digital transformation, deep technologies,
artificial intelligence, machine learning and sustainability to help MSMEs move
up the defence value chain, while encouraging greater collaboration with large
anchor companies through the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).
Mr C
Devarajan, Chairman, CII Tamil Nadu & Managing Director, URC Constructions
Private Limited, said Tamil Nadu stands at a defining moment in
India's defence manufacturing journey as the nation accelerates its vision of Atmanirbhar
Bharat. He said the Tamil Nadu Aerospace and Defence Industry Policy 2022
and the Tamil Nadu Space Industry Policy 2025 together target over ₹85,000
crore of investments across the aerospace, defence and space sectors. He added
that the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor, which has already attracted
investments exceeding ₹23,000 crore, would play a pivotal role in strengthening
indigenous manufacturing capabilities and positioning Tamil Nadu as one of
India's foremost defence manufacturing destinations.
Ms Gowri
Kailasam, Vice Chairperson, CII Chennai Zone & Executive Director Rane
Madras Limited – Engine Components Division & Aftermarket Division in her
welcome speech said, “India's defence manufacturing landscape is undergoing a
transformational shift with increasing emphasis on self-reliance, indigenous
capability development and global competitiveness. Chennai's manufacturing
excellence, engineering talent, research institutions, defence establishments
and technology-driven startup ecosystem, together with the Tamil Nadu Defence
Industrial Corridor, provide the State with a strong foundation to become one
of the nation's leading centres for defence manufacturing and innovation,”.
During a
Special Plenary session at CII TN Defence X Conclave 2026, Dr D Karthikeyan
IAS, Chairman & Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Industrial Development
Corporation (TIDCO), Government of Tamil Nadu, reiterated the State
Government's commitment to strengthening Tamil Nadu's defence, aerospace and
space manufacturing ecosystem through continued investments, infrastructure
development and strategic partnerships. He said, “TIDCO is working closely with
national agencies including ISRO, IN-SPACe and the Department of Defence
Production, and a Memorandum of Understanding has recently been signed with
IN-SPACe for establishing a testing facility near Thoothukudi,”.
Dr
Karthikeyan pointed out the Government of Tamil Nadu remains committed to
supporting startups and industrial ventures, adding that funding would not be a
constraint for promising initiatives. He also highlighted TIDCO's partnerships
with Siemens, GE and Bosch in creating advanced facilities that support MSMEs,
students and academic institutions through testing, skilling and innovation.
Referring to the proposed relocation of these facilities to Anna University to
enable greater academic participation, he said the Government would continue to
work closely with industry and CII to strengthen Tamil Nadu's defence
manufacturing ecosystem and create greater opportunities for industry, startups
and academia,”.
The
conclave brought together senior representatives from DRDO, the armed forces,
defence PSUs, industry, MSMEs, startups and academia to deliberate on
opportunities in defence manufacturing, indigenisation, technology transfer,
digital transformation, emerging technologies and policy initiatives, while
strengthening collaboration to position Tamil Nadu as a key contributor to
India's defence manufacturing growth.
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