Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Defence Industry Urged to Join Strategic Research Earlier
Defence researchers and companies met at BITS Pilani in Hyderabad.
They discussed how companies can help develop military technology from the very beginning.
This is especially important for missile systems and other strategic technologies.
The organisers want research projects to move from laboratories into equipment that can be used.
About 200 people from 45 companies and defence organisations attended.
Twenty agreements were signed for research, technology development and commercialisation.
A display showed 48 technologies developed in India.
The participants said cooperation among universities, industry and defence agencies is important because warfare is changing.
Defence officials urged industry to participate from the earliest research and development stages, especially in missile systems.
The Defence and Aerospace Industry Day 2026 was held at BITS Pilani’s Hyderabad campus on Tuesday.
Around 200 representatives from 45 companies and defence organisations attended alongside researchers and government institutions.
Twenty memorandums of understanding covered collaborative research, technology development, transfer and commercialisation.
A BITS-DIAT showcase presented 48 indigenous technologies in materials, electronics, artificial intelligence, autonomy, sensors and aerospace engineering.
- Who
- BITS Pilani, the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, industry representatives, researchers and government institutions.
- What
- The Defence and Aerospace Industry Day 2026 discussed earlier industry participation in defence research and featured 20 agreements and 48 indigenous technologies.
- When
- Tuesday in 2026.
- Where
- The BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad.
- Why
- To move indigenous defence research toward deployable, mission-ready capabilities and strengthen academia-industry cooperation in strategic technologies.
- Event
- Defence and Aerospace Industry Day 2026
- Venue
- BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus
- Attendance
- Around 200 representatives from 45 companies and defence organisations
- Agreements
- 20 memorandums of understanding
- Technology showcase
- 48 indigenous technologies
- Key focus
- Early industry participation in research, particularly missile systems
- Participating institutions
- BITS Pilani, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology and Defence Research and Development Organisation