The inaugural Shaurya 2026 – National Seminar on the Indian Military-Industrial Complex concluded at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) on Saturday, bringing together senior representatives of the Armed Forces, government, defence industry, investors, academia, MSMEs, start-ups and veterans to deliberate on the evolving defence landscape.
A key highlight of the seminar was the keynote address by Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti (Retd.), former Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force, on “Changing Global Battlefield Dynamics and the Capability Road Map for India.” The session examined emerging trends in warfare and the capabilities required to strengthen India’s future defence preparedness.
The seminar featured thematic discussions on key aspects of the defence ecosystem. Rear Admiral Deepak Bansal (Retd.) moderated a session on “Building the Industrial Base: Manufacturing, MRO and the Export Opportunity,” which focused on expanding India’s defence manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities.
Another session, “From Requirement to Contract: Service Needs and Industry’s Entry Points,” moderated by Brig Vikas Sharma, brought together perspectives on operational requirements, industrial capabilities and defence procurement.
The concluding panel, “From Grant to Listing: Financing India’s Defence Start-ups and MSMEs,” was moderated by Kamesh Raghavendra and examined funding, investment and growth opportunities for emerging defence enterprises.
Supported by IIM Bangalore and Kshipra Foundation, Shaurya 2026 provided a platform for dialogue, collaboration and networking among stakeholders across the defence ecosystem.
Under the theme “Where Valour Meets Vision,” the seminar marked an initiative towards strengthening ties between the Armed Forces, defence industry, investors and veterans, with a focus on advancing India’s journey towards a more self-reliant defence sector.
