This sector spans areas like surveillance, cybersecurity, autonomous vehicles and communication systems.

India’s defence technology market is expanding steadily, propelled by government initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and increased defence spending. FY25-26 defence budget has crossed INR 79,000 Cr, with nearly 70% reserved for domestic procurement. India’s defence exports touched $2.63 Bn in FY24, up 32% YoY, emphasising the sector’s importance. The focus is on indigenisation, innovation and modernisation of armed forces capabilities.

Startups are disrupting the defence tech space by introducing innovative solutions to address challenges like real-time data processing, threat detection, and equipment modernisation. These include AI-enabled surveillance systems, drone technologies, cybersecurity platforms and advanced communication networks. Urgent pain points include the need for secure, reliable technology and faster development cycles to keep pace with evolving threats.

Notable Indian startups in defence tech include AjnaLens, Constelli, Flying Wedge and Garuda Aerospace. These companies contribute to enhancing India’s defence preparedness through cutting-edge technology and specialised applications tailored to national security requirements.

Defense Tech