India must become global hub of drone manufacturing in next few years amid current geopolitical instability: Raksha Mantri at National Defence Industries Conclave 2026

• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh at the National Defence Industries Conclave 2026 (19 Mar 2026, New Delhi) called on India to become a global hub of indigenous drone manufacturing for strategic autonomy.
• Key vehicles: iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence), ADITI 4.0 scheme, DISC 14 challenges, PLI Scheme for Drones, and the Drone Rules, 2021.
• Examines Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence, dual-use UAV tech, MSME/start-up ecosystem and geopolitical drivers (Russia–Ukraine, Israel–Hamas, India–Pakistan/China frictions).