India’s strategic push towards self-reliance in the Defence sector took center stage today at the inaugural day of Swaraksha Mahotsav 2025 event held in Vizag.
The event jointly coordinated by TPCGSI and Vizag Industrial Scan witnessed the 1st day of the three-day global summit bring together a distinguished gathering of policymakers, military leaders, and industry experts at the Radisson Blu Resort, unified by the theme, “Fostering Partnerships for Security.”
Senior officers from the world of security and Defence led by Visakhapatnam’s police commissioner Mr Shanka Brata Bagchi, IPS, Rear Admiral Shantanu Jha, Chief Staff officer (Operation), Eastern Naval Command, Mr. Manish Varma, Deputy Inspector General, Indian Coastal Guard, Cmde Girideep Singh, (Retd.) Chairman & Managing Director, Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Mr Sajid Mukhtar Chairman -cum MD, Roter Group of Industries, Mr. Rupesh Gandupalli, CEO, XDLINX Space Labs Private Limited, Dr. Raghava Rau Kothapalli, Founder & CEO, BDSR Solutions LLP, Mr Sanjay Singh, Director General, TPCGSI and Mr. Aditya Sabharwal, Head- Marketing & Communications, Vizag Industrial Scan addressed the august set of gathering.
The conference underscored the rapid evolution of India’s security environment and the role of advancing technologies in shaping it, from AI-enhanced traffic management to unmanned maritime systems and drones for urban surveillance.
Over 40 exhibitors showcased cutting-edge defence, aerospace, and geospatial technologies, highlighting the vibrant ecosystem driving indigenous innovation.
A key focus of the event was Andhra Pradesh’s ambitious plan to establish specialized defence manufacturing hubs across the state.
Giving the special address Visakhapatnam’ s Lok Sabha member of Parliament, Mr M Sribharat highlighted AP’s new defence and aerospace policy and urged defence stakeholders and investors to explore Andhra Pradesh for their new investments.
Addressing the gathering MP Sribharat said that AP’s new defence policy outlines a decentralise strategy and fosters innovation and technological advancements in defence manufacturing.
Identifying the various clusters that have been proposed for defence manufacturing he apprised the gathering of the upcoming clusters:
- A Naval Cluster over 3,000 acres between Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam
- A Missile & Ammunition Cluster over 3,000 acres at Jaggaiahpeta in NTR district
- An Unmanned Systems Cluster over 3,000 acres at Orvakal in Kurnool district
- Aerospace & Electronics Clusters spread over 4,000–5,000 acres between Madakasira and Lepakshi in Anantapur district
- An Aircraft Component Manufacturing Cluster over 4,000 acres at Donakonda in Prakasam district
These initiatives he said are designed to foster synergistic collaboration among government, academia, startups, and industry to build a robust defence manufacturing base.
The conference in addition emphasized India’s inclusive approach to defence self-reliance, which involves large corporations and smaller businesses producing essential components.
The event also featured discussions on leveraging historical legacies for contemporary advancements, showcasing how technologies like drones are being adapted for both military and civilian applications, such as surveying villages for property titles.
Swaraksha Mahaotsav 2025 also highlighted the Indian Coast Guard’s rapid expansion and the vast opportunities this presents for private industry, urging Indian shipyards to compete on a global scale.
Additionally, the discussions underscored the critical importance of cybersecurity in modern warfare, emphasizing India’s potential to become a leader in this field.
The conference overall sent a clear message of innovation and collaboration across all sectors which are crucial for maintaining India’s strategic advantage in a rapidly evolving security landscape.
Over 200 delegates participated in the inaugural. Awards across various categories were also presented to startups for their innovative work and solutions in the defence sector.
