India’s Defence Tech Startup Landscape Report 2025, InFocus: Warfare In The Age Of AI
India’s defence market is set to grow 48% from $27 Bn in 2025 to $40 Bn by 2030, with nearly half of this, about $19 Bn, driven by new-age technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and quantum computing. While the sector opened to private participation in 2000, real momentum for startups and new-age companies began post-2020 with the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan placing defence at the forefront of self-reliance goals. Since then, investor interest has surged, by H1 2025, Indian defence tech startups had raised $432 Mn in venture funding, with drone and anti-drone technologies alone attracting 71% of the total capital. The report provides an in-depth analysis of policy shifts, funding trends, state-level manufacturing ecosystems, and emerging opportunities for startups in India’s rapidly modernising defence landscape.
