- Raksha Mantri emphasized that close collaboration between defence, academia, and industry is crucial for accelerating the development and adoption of indigenous technology. - Stressed the need to adapt to the evolving nature of modern warfare, which increasingly relies on niche technologies, artificial intelligence, and domestic manufacturing capabilities. - Highlighted that self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in defence is paramount for national security, reducing dependency on foreign imports, and fostering domestic innovation. - Encouraged academic institutions and private industry players to actively participate in defence research, development, and production ecosystems. - **Atmanirbhar Bharat:** India's policy vision targeting self-reliance across economic and strategic sectors, with a major focus on domestic defense manufacturing, reducing import dependency, and fostering local research and development. - **Ministry of Defence:** The central government department charged with policy formulation, resource allocation, and administrative oversight for all matters concerning national defense and the Indian Armed Forces. - **Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister):** The official Hindi title for the Defence Minister of India, who heads the Ministry of Defence and oversees the political direction of the armed forces and national security policy. **Introduction** The article highlights the Raksha Mantri's emphasis on a robust collaboration between the defence sector, academia, and private industry to accelerate the creation and adoption of indigenous defence technologies. Amid changing paradigms of modern warfare, fostering domestic R&D and achieving self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) are presented as fundamental pillars for India's national security and economic growth. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - Raksha Mantri emphasized that close collaboration between defence, academia, and industry is crucial for accelerating the development and adoption of indigenous technology. - Stressed the need to adapt to the evolving nature of modern warfare, which increasingly relies on niche technologies, artificial intelligence, and domestic manufacturing capabilities. - Highlighted that self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in defence is paramount for national security, reducing dependency on foreign imports, and fostering domestic innovation. - Encouraged academic institutions and private industry players to actively participate in defence research, development, and production ecosystems. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Atmanirbhar Bharat:** India's policy vision targeting self-reliance across economic and strategic sectors, with a major focus on domestic defense manufacturing, reducing import dependency, and fostering local research and development. - **Ministry of Defence:** The central government department charged with policy formulation, resource allocation, and administrative oversight for all matters concerning national defense and the Indian Armed Forces. - **Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister):** The official Hindi title for the Defence Minister of India, who heads the Ministry of Defence and oversees the political direction of the armed forces and national security policy.