A significant event took place on August 11, 2025, in Gandhinagar at the Leela Hotel. The Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) organised the ‘Vendor Development Programme in Defence Sector.’ This programme was in collaboration with the Defence Production Department of the Government of India, the Industries and Mines Department of the Gujarat Government, and Laghu Udyog Bharati. The focus of this initiative was to promote self-reliance in the defence production sector, especially empowering MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) and startups to participate meaningfully in India’s growing defence production ecosystem.
The event saw participation from major defence organisations such as DRDO Laboratories, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, L&T Precision Engineering and Systems, and the National Defence University. The presence of such esteemed institutions highlighted the importance of collaboration in the defence sector.
The seminar began with a welcome speech by K.C. Sampat, Managing Director of INDEBTb. He emphasised the strategic necessity of achieving self-reliance in the defence sector and highlighted the crucial role of industries based in Gujarat in supporting this national objective. He reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming India into a global hub for defence production.
Rajesh Gandhi, Senior Vice President of GCCI, spoke about the commitment to nurturing a capable industrial ecosystem that supports MSMEs and startups, especially in strategic sectors like defence. He also discussed GCCI’s continuous efforts to provide a platform for various stakeholders and policymakers to engage effectively. He highlighted the government’s vendor policy aimed at fostering progress in defence production.
Baldev Singh Rajput, the Minister of Industries, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Cottage, Khadi and Rural Industries, Civil Aviation, Labour and Employment of Gujarat, addressed the audience. He praised the collaborative efforts of the central government, state government, GCCI, and Laghu Udyog Bharati in organising this important programme. He stressed that India is rapidly moving towards becoming the third-largest economy from its current position as the fourth-largest.
Manisha Chandra, Joint Secretary of Defence Production, outlined the national roadmap for defence self-reliance. She stressed the need for private sector collaboration and expanding vendor support. Chandra spoke about the significant increase in domestic production and export of defence equipment, highlighting the shift from being an importer to becoming an exporter of defence equipment.
Mamata Verma, Chief Secretary of the Industries and Mines Department, Gujarat Government, detailed the state’s robust industrial infrastructure and policy ecosystem supporting defence production, including cluster development, financial incentives, and skill enhancement programmes. She also emphasised the need to focus on innovation.
Sanjiv Kumar, Secretary of Defence Production, discussed the necessity of a state-level vendor network and elaborated on Gujarat’s strengths and potential in defence production. He mentioned the importance of demand and supply chains in this context.
During the event, various presentations were made on technical subjects related to the defence sector. The Deputy Director General of the Defence Ministry, Lokesh Kumar Sharma, led a session highlighting the crucial role of MSMEs in achieving self-reliance in defence.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, where participants engaged with officials and industry leaders to explore potential collaborations and business opportunities in the defence sector. This initiative reflects the growing recognition of the importance of MSMEs and startups in the defence ecosystem, aligning with the government’s vision for self-reliance in India.