The government is developing an ambitious plan to set up seven defence manufacturing clusters across India to strengthen indigenous production and build specialised regional ecosystems under the broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Integrated Defence Ecosystem Model
The proposed clusters aim to bring together state governments, industry players, academic institutions and research bodies. Each hub will focus on key parts of the defence value chain, including testing, certification, indigenisation, exports, skill development, innovation and industrial infrastructure.
States Asked to Prepare Roadmaps
According to sources, the Ministry of Defence has already held multiple rounds of consultations with states. Participating states have been asked to prepare detailed vision documents and implementation plans for their respective clusters.
Under the proposed framework, each cluster will be led by a primary state with one or more co-lead states, supported by leading institutions such as IITs for research and innovation.
Proposed Defence Manufacturing Clusters
Karnataka–Rajasthan Cluster
Karnataka is expected to lead the first cluster with Rajasthan as co-lead. This hub will focus on testing, certification, quality assurance and standardisation in defence manufacturing, with support from IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee and IIT Jammu.
Uttar Pradesh–Jharkhand Cluster
Uttar Pradesh is proposed as the lead state with Jharkhand as co-lead. The focus will be on policy reforms and strengthening the overall defence manufacturing ecosystem, with Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir also expected to participate.
Maharashtra–Madhya Pradesh Cluster
This cluster will focus on indigenisation, private sector participation, innovation, startups and MSME integration in defence production. Goa and Puducherry are likely to be part of the group, with IIT Bombay providing academic support.
Punjab–Haryana Cluster
Punjab and Haryana are expected to lead a cluster focused on expanding market access, boosting defence exports and improving demand visibility for Indian manufacturers, with participation from other northern states and technical institutions.
Gujarat–Odisha Cluster
Gujarat and Odisha will jointly lead a cluster focused on skill development, industry-academia partnerships and innovation linkages, supported by IIT Gandhinagar and IIT Bhubaneswar.
Tamil Nadu–Andhra Pradesh Cluster
This southern cluster will focus on defence industrial infrastructure, common manufacturing facilities and integrated production systems, with IIT Madras and other institutions providing technical support.
Northeast Cluster
Assam will lead a dedicated cluster for the northeastern region, with participation from other states in the region and academic support from IIT Guwahati.
Strategic Push for Defence Exports and Self-Reliance
The initiative aligns with India’s goal of reducing import dependence and expanding defence exports. Once operational, the clusters are expected to create specialised ecosystems for research, production, testing and certification, strengthening the country’s long-term defence industrial base
