SIDM Champion Awards 2026 presented by Rajnath Singh
Why in the news
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presented the SIDM Champion Awards 2026 at the 8th Annual Session of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) in New Delhi on October 9, 2026.
Key facts
- Awards: 15 Champion Awards for indigenous technology, product innovation, design, import substitution, manufacturing excellence and exports.
- Session theme: ‘Sovereign Capabilities, Contested Frontiers: Accelerating India’s Strategic Autonomy in an Era of Disruption’.
- Private sector: Singh urged industry to lift its share of defence output to 50%, raise R&D spending and build surge capacity.
- Reforms cited: Defence Acquisition Procedure, Defence Procurement Manual, Positive Indigenisation Lists, SRIJAN portal and iDEX.
Defence exports and production at a glance
| Indicator | Figure |
|---|---|
| Defence exports, FY 2025-26 | ₹38,424 crore (record) |
| Growth over FY 2024-25 | Over 60% |
| Export target | ₹50,000 crore by 2029 |
| Private share in production | About 24% now; goal 50% |
About SIDM
The Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers was established in 2017. Its members include large firms, MSMEs, startups, academia and foreign OEMs. Baba Kalyani is its Founder President and Arun Ramchandani its President. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh also attended the session.
Exam angle
- Record export figure: ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26.
- Export target: ₹50,000 crore by 2029.
- SIDM founded in 2017; 15 awards given in 2026.