Defense & Security

India's defence manufacturing sector achieved record performance in FY 2025-26, with production reaching ₹1.78 lakh crore and exports surging 62.66% to ₹38,424 crore across more than 80 countries. The government aims for ₹3 lakh crore in annual production and ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029, driven by the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative which has increased private industry contribution to 24% of total output. Despite these figures, the defence technology market is projected to triple from $7.6 billion in 2025 to $19 billion by 2030, creating a severe structural mismatch between workforce supply and demand. A critical bottleneck exists as specialized roles in radar, avionics, propulsion, and quantum communications account for less than 5% of the current workforce. Industry reports warn that 40-45% of these high-skill positions could remain unfilled by 2030 without targeted skilling initiatives. Experts emphasize that conventional engineering degrees lack the practical exposure needed for battlefield survival, highlighting a significant gap between lab prototypes and ruggedized, deployable military systems. Institutional responses include BITS Pilani's new Centre for Research Excellence in National Security and expanded internship programs, while startups like Astraniti and TISA Aerospace advocate for deeper integration between academia and end-users. However, challenges persist in veteran reintegration into the startup ecosystem and concerns that large corporations are dominating government innovation schemes like iDEX, potentially marginalizing smaller entities and young entrepreneurs essential for agile defence development