The Ministry of Defence has presented the SIDM Champion Awards 2026 to 15 organisations for achievements in indigenous defence technology, product innovation and exports. The awards were announced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the 8th Annual Session of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) in New Delhi on October 9, 2026.
The government used the occasion to call for greater private sector participation in defence manufacturing, increased investment in research and development, and expanded production capacity across India’s defence industry.
Key facts
- 15 Champion Awards presented for indigenous technology development, product innovation, design, import substitution, manufacturing excellence and exports
- India’s defence exports reached Rs 38,424 crore in financial year 2025-26
- Defence exports grew by over 60 per cent compared to the previous financial year
- Government target is to achieve Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029
- Private sector currently accounts for approximately 24 per cent of total defence production
- Government aims to increase private sector share to 50 per cent
- SIDM was established in 2017 as a unified platform for defence manufacturers
What the awards recognise
The SIDM Champion Awards honour organisations across the full spectrum of India’s defence industrial base for concrete achievements in specific areas. The 15 awardees were selected for their work in designing and developing defence technologies domestically rather than importing them, creating new products suited to Indian conditions, improving manufacturing processes and quality, reducing dependence on foreign equipment through import substitution, and successfully exporting defence equipment to other countries.
The Defence Minister acknowledged that these organisations have strengthened India’s capacity to produce military equipment and reduce reliance on imports.
India’s defence export surge
India’s defence exports have grown substantially in recent years. In the financial year 2025-26, exports reached Rs 38,424 crore, representing a jump of more than 60 per cent from the previous year. This marks a significant shift from India’s historical role as a major importer of defence equipment. The Defence Ministry is targeting defence exports of Rs 50,000 crore by 2029, indicating plans for further expansion.
Push for private sector growth
The government is actively encouraging greater participation by private companies in defence production and manufacturing. Currently, the private sector contributes approximately 24 per cent of India’s total defence production. The Defence Minister has called for this share to increase to 50 per cent, though he acknowledged that the private sector’s contribution has already grown substantially over the past 12 years.
The government has committed to supporting this industry growth while maintaining standards of regulation, safety, quality and accountability. Industry leaders were urged to set progressive milestones towards achieving the 50 per cent target as a shared national objective.
Focus on research and development
The Defence Minister emphasised that defence manufacturers should view spending on research and development not as an expense but as an investment. Increased R&D expenditure strengthens military readiness, improves the ability of Indian companies to compete globally, and contributes to national security. This is particularly important given the changing nature of modern warfare, which increasingly depends on advanced technologies such as drones, missiles, air defence systems, and sophisticated software and communications infrastructure.
Production capacity and surge capability
The Defence Ministry highlighted the need for Indian defence manufacturers to expand and modernise their production facilities. Referenced was Operation Sindoor, which demonstrated the importance of ensuring that domestic manufacturing can be rapidly scaled up when operational demands require. The government called on industry to develop innovative solutions that allow swift expansion of manufacturing capacity in response to changing defence needs.
Policy support and schemes
The government has introduced several policy reforms to support private defence manufacturers. These include the Defence Acquisition Procedure, Defence Procurement Manual, Positive Indigenisation Lists, the SRIJAN portal for defence startups and MSMEs, and the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme. The SIDM itself, established in 2017, serves as a unified platform representing large enterprises, micro, small and medium enterprises, startups, academic institutions and foreign defence equipment manufacturers.
What this means for you
If you work in defence manufacturing or related sectors, the government’s push for private sector expansion and increased R&D investment signals growing opportunities for employment and business growth. Defence startups and MSMEs have access to schemes like iDEX and SRIJAN that provide support and funding. The focus on indigenous technology development and import substitution means more manufacturing and engineering work will be done in India rather than abroad. Increased defence exports also reflect India’s emergence as a serious player in global defence markets.