India’s defence innovation ecosystem is entering a new phase, driven by the convergence of military expertise, emerging technologies, startups, venture capital and advanced manufacturing.
T-Works organised the National Defence Innovation Conclave 2026 in Hyderabad on 8 July 2026. The day-long event, held on the theme “Building India’s Next-Generation Defence Technology Ecosystem,” brought together senior government leaders, military officers, defence experts, researchers, investors and a large number of technology startups.
Organised under the leadership of Shri. Joginder Tanikella, CEO, T-Works, the conclave was graced by Shri. Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Industries & Commerce and Legislative Affairs, Government of Telangana; Shri. Sanjay Jaju, Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana; Shri. Giridhar Aramane, former Defence Secretary, Government of India; and Lieutenant General Neeraj Varshney, AVSM, Commandant, Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME), Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy, Member, National Security Advisory Board, along with several senior officers and dignitaries.
I moderated the session, “The Startup Revolution in Defence: Building India’s Strategic Advantage.” The panel brought together diverse perspectives from the armed forces, government research, innovation infrastructure, venture capital and defence entrepreneurship. The panellists were Lieutenant General Neeraj Varshney, AVSM, Commandant, MCEME; Joginder Tanikella, CEO, T-Works; Dr Arun Chaudhary, Director, DRDO; Shri. Vamshi Reddy, Venture Partner, Kalaari Capital; and Captain Bala Praveen, Founder, Axial Aero.
Our discussion explored how startups can accelerate defence innovation, translate emerging technologies into deployable capabilities, strengthen collaboration with the armed forces and DRDO, attract patient capital, and contribute to India’s strategic and technological self-reliance.
I also had the opportunity to participate in an informal roundtable interaction with IT Minister Shri. Duddilla Sridhar Babu and interview Former Defence Secretary Shri. Giridhar Aramane on the evolving defence ecosystem and India’s journey towards greater technological and strategic autonomy.
The conclave highlighted the increasingly important role being played by organisations such as T-Works in providing startups with access to prototyping infrastructure, engineering expertise, industry networks and pathways to transform innovative ideas into scalable solutions.
India’s next generation of defence capabilities will be shaped not only by established institutions and large defence manufacturers, but also by agile startups capable of developing breakthrough technologies in areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, drones, robotics, advanced manufacturing, cyber technologies and next-generation platforms.
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