The 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) opens tomorrow, 14 November 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and will continue through to 27 November.
The DDP will host a dedicated pavilion at the event showcasing India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capability.
Purpose & Significance
- The pavilion underlines the transformation achieved under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing—emphasizing self-reliance, innovation, and domestic capability.
- It aims to raise public awareness of India’s defence production ecosystem, foster industry collaborations, and promote the involvement of start-ups and PSUs alike.
Who’s Participating
- All 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) are participating in the pavilion.
- In addition, start‐ups under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme will feature, highlighting the “defence innovation ecosystem”.
What Will Be Showcased
- A wide array of state-of-the-art defence products and technologies will be on display, covering:
- Land systems
- Naval/sea-platforms
- Aerospace systems
- Emerging technologies
- The display is intended to demonstrate the depth and breadth of the “Made in India” defence manufacturing supply chain.
Why It Matters
- For India’s defence sector: The event provides a public platform to display indigenous capability, bolster “Make in India” credentials and attract investment/partnerships.
- For industry & start-ups: It’s an opportunity to network, showcase innovations and tap collaborations with PSUs, OEMs and government agencies.
- For the public: A chance to witness first-hand how defence manufacturing is evolving in India, and to appreciate the scale of self-reliance in the sector.
- Strategically: It strengthens India’s shift from being primarily an importer of defence systems to becoming a significant manufacturer and exporter, aligned with national security and industrial policy goals.
What to Look For at the Pavilion
- Signature exhibits from each DPSU — e.g., ground-combat vehicles, missile systems, aerospace components, etc (specifics may be revealed at the venue).
- Display of start-up innovations under iDEX: disruptive technologies, maybe prototypes or demonstrators.
- Interactive or outreach elements aimed at the general public (since the pavilion also has an outreach component).
- Information on how industry, academia and start-ups are being integrated into the defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Takeaway
The DDP’s participation at the 44th IITF sends a clear message: India’s defence manufacturing has matured and is ready to engage — both domestically and globally. The combination of PSUs + start-ups underlines a “whole-ecosystem” approach rather than just standalone products.
For stakeholders (policy-makers, industry players, academia, young innovators), this is a moment to engage, network and explore the possibilities of a self-reliant defence future.
