To Position India as the Global Hub for Defence R&D and Advanced Manufacturing
Bengaluru,12th Feb 2026:
DefTech Bharat 2026, India’s first dedicated exhibition focused exclusively on defence research, development, and advanced manufacturing, is set to take place on May 20, 21, and 22, 2026, in KTPO, Whitefield, Bengaluru, bringing together defence R&D engineers, system designers, MSMEs, start-ups, global OEMs, and policymakers under one roof. The exhibition arrives at a pivotal moment as the Government of India significantly accelerates investments in indigenous defence innovation, technology development, and manufacturing capabilities.
Aligned with the Government of India’s strong push for Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence, DefTech Bharat 2026 reflects the country’s rapidly expanding defence ecosystem, where public sector undertakings, private industry, MSMEs, and start-ups are increasingly driving next-generation technologies. With sustained increases in defence R&D allocation, technology development funds, and innovation schemes, India is fast emerging as a preferred destination for defence design, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing.
What will be on display?
At the DEFTECH Bharat 2026 event, attendees will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of state-of-the-art products and systems spanning various domains such as land, air, sea, and space. The exhibition will showcase cutting-edge offerings in Aerospace & Avionics, Defence Systems & Components, Engineering, Manufacturing & Materials, Systems Integration & Tech Services.
Visitors can witness live UAV/drone demonstrations that highlight emerging unmanned capabilities, attend product launches unveiling the latest innovations, and participate in technology tours that provide insights into key exhibits and breakthroughs. Additionally, there will be opportunities for procurement and B2B matchmaking with armed forces representatives, OEMs, and international delegates.
Who will visit DEF-TECH Bharat 2026?
DEF-TECH Bharat is designed to bring together a mix of global and Indian defence and technology leaders, including:
● Defence & Aerospace Industry Leaders – Decision-makers from the defence manufacturing companies — both public and private sector, Senior executives, and management, including procurement, R&D, and design teams, OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers and tier-1 suppliers.
● Defence Labs, R&D & Technical Experts – Scientists and representatives from major Indian defence research labs such as HAL, DRDO labs (like ADE, ARDE, DARE, etc.), and engineers focused on aerospace, defence, and space systems.
● Startups, Innovators & Allied Sectors – Tech startups working in defence tech, UAVs (drones), AI, autonomous systems, advanced materials, and more. Investors, system integrators, consultants, and academia are interested in tech collaborations.
● Government, Military & Official Delegations – Representatives from various defence ministries and government bodies, Delegates from military headquarters and embassies.
DeftechCon 2026, Co-located Conference
Running alongside the exhibition, Deftech Con 2026, a two-day international technology conference, focused on promoting innovation across the aerospace, defence, and space sectors, with over 20 conferences and seminars on 21st and 22nd May, 2026. With a strong India-centric outlook, DefTech CON 2026 brings together high-impact keynote sessions, expert panel discussions, technology showcases, and interactive Q&A sessions, covering critical areas such as AI and autonomous systems, cyber defence, unmanned platforms, advanced materials, space technologies, next-generation battlefield solutions, advanced sensors, and next-generation missile defence technologies.
Unlike conventional defence expos that focus largely on finished platforms and equipment, DefTech Bharat 2026 is uniquely positioned as an R&D- and engineering-centric exhibition. It is designed to directly connect technology developers with defence users, system integrators, and global supply chains.
enabling meaningful collaborations, co-development opportunities, and technology transfer discussions.
DefTech Bharat 2026 aims to become the definitive platform for defence innovation in India, supporting the country’s ambition to evolve from an importer of defence systems to a global exporter of advanced defence technologies and solutions.
For more information, log on to www.deftechbharat.com
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