- “India Is on the Path from Major Importer to Leading Exporter”
- “India’s Startups Are Winning Global Defence Orders”
- “The World Is Recognising Indian Technology”
By Sangeeta Saxena
Parc Des Exhibitions, Paris. 22 June 2026. As defence technologies evolve at unprecedented speed, nations are increasingly looking beyond traditional military capabilities towards innovation-driven ecosystems powered by artificial intelligence, drones, cyber technologies, quantum systems and advanced manufacturing. Against this backdrop, Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice and Eurosatory 2026 in Paris have emerged as important platforms showcasing the growing convergence of technology, defence and international collaboration.
Speaking to ADU on the sidelines of Eurosatory 2026, Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, former Chairman of DRDO and Member of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), reflected on the significance of India’s expanding innovation ecosystem, the rise of indigenous startups, the importance of global technology partnerships and the opportunities emerging for Indian defence companies in international markets. His observations underline India’s transition from a technology seeker to an increasingly influential technology creator and exporter.
ADU. Sir, so we are meeting here at Eurosatory and what is Dr. Satheesh Reddy doing here?
Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy. I had actually come here for the Bharat Innovates Programme in Nice, where Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and Honourable President of France, both have come and 
inaugurated the same. Having been a scientist myself, my curiosity of global happenings in technology sector keeps me engrossed and here I came as part of the academia to meet the technology and innovation driven companies and see how Indian companies and professionals can also be a part of the larger global ecosystem.
Having said that, it is very important to note that there are no silos in the world today. Given the fast changing landscape, it is imperative to see what developments are happening globally and how things are moving, in what direction and then have an understanding of the impact. It is equally important to see the many collaborations in advanced systems happening globally and identify and evaluate which of those can also help serve the interests of India. We are exploring whether we can bring the technology into India and the ways and means for the same. Few key discussion points include how collaborations between companies in India and abroad can take place and how it can benefit the Indian ecosystem.
So I spent two days there and then I thought I will spend some time here in Eurosatory. I came here and I am going around to see the new developments in technologies and meet the innovators of today and the future.
ADU. So, you found some new technologies which are different from your time?
Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy. Technology evolves faster than generations. From our time to now, there are a lot of developments that have changed the entire landscape especially in some areas like AI based systems, cyber security, drone systems etc. I have found a few very interesting companies and technologies here, some in radar technology, some in drone technology, some in anti-drone technology, some AI based systems etc. These are a sign of changing times. Indian entities like Bharat Electronics and other DPSUs, DRDO and many private industries including conglomerates like the Kalyani Group and other private companies like Tonbo Imaging, SMPP, MKU etc also have a presence here at Eurosatory and have also exhibited their products profile. Seeing Indian companies garner interest at global exhibitions is great to witness.
ADU. Kalyani is also there and today they launched a vehicle with Paramount.
Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy. Yeah, I know, I have seen that. So these are all very interesting things which are happening in our country. Kalyani Group is a major player in defence technologies in India. They are one of the developers of longest range 155 mm gun ATAGS for the country and have also exported the same. They are involved in developing other major technologies for Indian defence also.
ADU. Very nice. So, now since you are here and you are also a member of the NSAB, so what attracts you here with that purpose?
Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy. See, we need to look at which technologies in the world today are fast evolving, particularly in the current given geopolitical scenario. For this it is important to understand what has been happening in the world, especially in the last few years. The conflicts globally have changed the landscape, requiring a more agile ecosystem.
There are lots of new technologies, new systems, new products which are coming up. Even earlier, for instance if you analyze Azerbaijan and related conflicts, the drone warfare, cyber security and cyber warfare have dominated and now AI is dominating in a big way. Now quantum technologies are also coming up at an exponential rate.
So you need to have an understanding of how the world is moving, how the defence and security ecosystem is moving, what are the new technologies, new products which are coming. Like I said, the countries are not working in silos anymore, so I feel it is important to have a look and be aware of global developments, so that we in India can also accordingly work towards enabling the Indian landscape and further strengthen our developmental road map. In the Indian pavilion we have got many entities including DRDO, Munitions India and Armoured Vehicle Nigam – this is an opportunity for everyone to learn from each other and take technologies and collaborations further.
Innovation if you see, particularly from what I have seen in Bharat Innovates with 120 Indian startups exhibiting here, our youngsters are doing a wonderful job. Very nice. Startups are a strong part of the defence ecosystem, especially in India. They have come out with many first of its kind technologies, in defence and aerospace and even in other areas.
ADU. What was there in defence and aerospace from Indian startups at Bharat Innovates?
Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy. What I find in the Bharat Innovates, I think almost 25 to 30% of them are defence and aerospace companies and / or from allied sectors. And they are all involved in very interesting things which I can definitely say are first of its kind technologies which the world has not seen.
Indian companies today are able to participate and win orders from many advanced nations including France, Germany, Japan, UK and the US. These are the type of orders the young Indian companies are getting today and this is very encouraging to see. In that context also, this event today is a great move by the Government of India to bring in the selected startups to exhibit and be present here. Given that there are 2.3 lakh startups in India today, shortlisting of 120 out of them is not easy – fortunately it is also a problem of plenty for the country and this is a good position to be in for any country.
Even educational institutions like the IITs have participated, all the IIT directors have come on one platform. Also given the Indo-French collaborations, this also is a great move for more such technology collaborations at the government level.
ADU. And the fact that the Indian Prime Minister and the French President have come here – shows the importance given to the event by everyone.
Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy. Very true. And I think youngsters get motivated in a big way. Even our academia, IITs and IICs get motivated in a big way to see the senior most Indian leadership being present for the event. 
Other academic institutions will come out in future with much more greater innovations. I believe that such events should happen more regularly especially with involvement of startups. Countries and Governments should benchmark this event and plan annual events like this (irrespective of the location). We need to look at it and promote our innovations in the country, promote our youngsters in our country and see that lot more such developments happen.
ADU. And so generally when we talk of something like Bharat Innovates and Startups, we also talk of procurement in the end. So how do you envisage that when they make a technology and they create one for you, so what happens at the end of the day in defence procurement?
Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy. See when you come out of innovation which is also first of its kind innovation, the world needs to see, understand and absorb that. The moment the world comes to know and understands its application, benefits and impact, there will not be any dearth of funds to buy the technology or place orders. So like today, I don’t want to go away naming one or two companies only, but many startups in India are getting orders from abroad – lots of countries, lots of advanced nations have shown interest as well. That is because of the technology. Now we have to create more awareness of such technologies that are existing with our Indian companies, with our startups in the country – and these exhibitions act as enablers.
ADU. So anything you would like to add from your side?
Dr.G. Satheesh Reddy. What I want to say is that Indian companies are emerging now. Indian SMEs or MSMEs are emerging out. Startups are also coming up in India in a big way. The Indian products are competing with the best in the world. The world is also recognizing and appreciating the Indian products from the Indian industry or startups.
In fact I have been very vocal about the fact that we should promote more and more startups and more of such events as well to give the startups the required exposure and create awareness globally. Last year the defence exports reached about INR 39,000 crores and in the year before it was INR 23,666 crores. I wish that next year it goes to INR 60,000 crores. And then we go further ahead. So from a large importer, India in on the path of becoming a leading exporter.
Dr G. Satheesh Reddy’s reflections from Bharat Innovates and Eurosatory 2026 reiterate that India is rapidly gaining confidence in its technological capabilities and innovation ecosystem. From startups developing first-of-their-kind technologies to Indian companies winning orders from advanced economies, the country’s defence and aerospace sector is increasingly attracting global attention. He emphasised that collaboration, innovation and international engagement will remain critical as emerging technologies such as AI, cyber systems, drones and quantum technologies reshape the global security landscape. With defence exports growing rapidly and Indian industry, MSMEs and startups competing with some of the best companies in the world, Dr Reddy sees India firmly on the path from being one of the world’s largest defence importers to becoming a major exporter and technology leader in the years ahead.
As told to Sangeeta Saxena
