Indigenous defence tech, MSMEs key to success of Operation Sindoor, says Sanjay Seth at North Tech Symposium
Prayagraj, May 5. India’s growing military strength is being powered by its defence industries, Minister o State for Defence Sanjay Seth has said, crediting the success of Operation Sindoor to the courage of the armed forces and the effectiveness of indigenously developed weapons and systems.
Addressing the North Tech Symposium in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on May 5, Seth underlined the crucial role played by startups and MSMEs in strengthening India’s defence ecosystem. He described MSMEs as the backbone of the economy and called startups the “brand ambassadors” of the country, saying they would be central to achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
“They are the Vishwakarmas of our age,” he said, praising innovators and small enterprises for driving future growth.
Seth lauded the defence forces for neutralising terror hideouts during Operation Sindoor and said the successful use of Made-in-India equipment reflected a collective national resolve – spanning the government, defence public sector undertakings, private industry, start-ups and MSMEs – to achieve self-reliance in defence production.
He said record defence production and export figures were evidence of a ‘New India’ committed to building its own capabilities to safeguard national interests.
“This New India does not cast an evil eye on anyone, nor does it ignore threats to its sovereignty,” he added.
Highlighting the fast-changing nature of military technology, the minister urged industry players to stay ahead of the technological curve through innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. He reiterated the government’s support for strengthening the defence manufacturing ecosystem and noted the transformative role of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor in boosting indigenous capabilities.
Speaking at the event, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, Anindya Sengupta called on industry to work closely with the armed forces to meet emerging operational requirements and help make the Indian Army future-ready. He said self-reliance would ensure strategic autonomy, technological sovereignty and customised operational capabilities.
The three-day North Tech Symposium 2026 is being organised by the Army’s Northern and Central Commands in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers. Held under the theme ‘Raksha Triveni Sangam — Where Technology, Industry & Soldiering Converge’, the event was inaugurated on May 4 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The symposium features 284 stalls by private defence manufacturers showcasing cutting-edge technologies. Live demonstrations of unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, counter-UAV systems, all-terrain vehicles and advanced surveillance equipment are also part of the programme.
Among those present were GOC-in-C Northern Command Pratik Sharma, GOC 1 Corps V Hariharan, SIDM President Arun T Ramchandani, industry leaders, innovators, startups and representatives from academia.
