India’s quest for self-reliance in defence and space technology is no longer just a policy slogan — it’s a movement led by hundreds of homegrown startups. Under the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, these companies are redefining how India builds, innovates and defends itself.
A New Wave of Innovation
Over the last five years, India’s defence and space ecosystem has witnessed a surge of entrepreneurial energy. With private participation now encouraged in sectors once reserved for public agencies, startups are developing indigenous systems — from rocket engines to drone swarms.
Among the frontrunners is Fabheads Automation, a Chennai-based advanced manufacturing startup founded by former ISRO engineers. Fabheads specializes in carbon-fiber composite 3D printing for aerospace and defence parts, helping reduce India’s dependency on imported components. The firm recently raised $10 million to scale its manufacturing and automation platforms, aiming to become a backbone for indigenous aerospace production.
Launching the Private Space Era
The space tech sector, once dominated by ISRO, is now buzzing with private ambition. Skyroot Aerospace, headquartered in Hyderabad, made history as one of the first Indian companies to develop and launch a private rocket. Its Vikram-series launch vehicles are designed to provide affordable satellite access and align with India’s growing commercial space demand.
Meanwhile, Bellatrix Aerospace from Bengaluru focuses on propulsion systems and orbital technologies, pushing the boundaries of in-space manoeuvring and fuel efficiency. Other rising players such as Agnikul Cosmos, Dhruva Space, and Pixxel are building everything from mini launch vehicles to Earth-imaging satellite constellations.
The Defence Tech Frontline
Beyond space, India’s defence tech startups are creating a new industrial backbone for the armed forces. From AI-enabled surveillance drones to autonomous underwater systems, the innovation curve is steep and fast.
Startups like ideaForge, which supplies UAVs to the Indian Army, and Tonbo Imaging, known for advanced electro-optics, exemplify how indigenous innovation is meeting critical defence needs. Many of these firms are incubated under DRDO and iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence), which fund and mentor high-potential startups.
Why It Matters: The Strategic Push for Self-Reliance
India’s defence import bill has historically been one of the largest in the world. The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan aims to reverse that by promoting domestic design and production. The government has already earmarked 75 percent of the defence capital procurement budget for domestic firms, a significant boost for startups entering the supply chain.
This strategic shift is not just about saving money — it’s about control, technology sovereignty, and building an industrial base that creates high-skilled jobs. By combining policy reforms with startup agility, India is laying the foundation for a truly independent defence and space ecosystem.
The Challenges Ahead
The journey, however, isn’t without turbulence. Defence and space projects demand high reliability, lengthy testing cycles, and heavy capital investment. Scaling from prototypes to mass production remains a hurdle for most startups. Access to critical raw materials like high-grade carbon fibre and semiconductors also limits growth.
Still, optimism runs high. Industry experts note that global investors are beginning to see India’s defence-space nexus as an emerging market opportunity. International collaborations, such as Indo-US defence innovation programmes, are giving Indian firms a global launchpad.
The Future Outlook
In the next decade, analysts expect:
- More indigenous subsystems in fighter jets, drones, and spacecraft
- Private orbital launch services from Indian soil
- Export-ready defence technologies for friendly nations
- Deep collaboration between startups, ISRO, DRDO, and academia
The vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat — once viewed as political rhetoric — is becoming a commercial and technological reality. If nurtured with steady policy support and private funding, Indian defence and space startups could position the country as not just self-reliant, but a global supplier of advanced technology.
In short, India is no longer just buying security and space capability — it’s building it.
