Hyderabad: Telangana defence manufacturing capabilities are expanding rapidly, with the state targeting the top position in India’s aerospace and defence sector by 2030, Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Friday.
He addressed the “MSME Spark 3.0 – Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing” conclave organised by the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry in association with the Telangana Industries Department.
The conclave took place at Taj Deccan in Hyderabad and attracted more than 400 policymakers, defence experts, MSMEs, startups, investors and industry leaders.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said Hyderabad had emerged as a cost-effective aerospace destination supported by defence laboratories, advanced manufacturing facilities and a strong MSME network. He added that nearly 1,500 MSMEs in Telangana were connected to the aerospace and defence supply chain.
Former DRDO Chairman G. Satheesh Reddy said the conclave coincided with the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor. He stated that the operation highlighted India’s indigenous defence capabilities.
Telangana defence manufacturing sector expands opportunities
DRDO Director General Chandrika Kaushik said the Union government allocated Rs 7.85 lakh crore for defence spending. She added that more than 75% of capital procurement was reserved for domestic industry.
According to her, the policy created major opportunities for MSMEs and startups in the defence sector. She also said DRDO signed more than 2,200 technology licensing agreements and offered over 750 patents royalty-free to support innovation.
Satheesh Reddy said the Defence Acquisition Council cleared proposals worth Rs 3.5 lakh crore under the Acceptance of Necessity framework. He added that India aimed to achieve defence exports worth Rs 50,000 crore by 2028.
FTCCI President R. Ravi Kumar said the conclave aimed to connect MSMEs and startups with defence manufacturing opportunities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The event featured technical sessions on procurement reforms, funding support, investment opportunities and indigenous technology development. Representatives from DRDO, BEL, MIDHANI, Bharat Dynamics Limited, SIDBI and private defence firms attended the conclave.
