Mission

launches!

Manekshaw Centre
Delhi, India

About the Event

Propelling India's Defence Towards Technological Supremacy

In an era of rapidly evolving global security landscapes, technological advantage is paramount, Hon' PM Narendra Modi's vision aims to transform India into a technologically superior and 'Atmanirbhar' defence power by prioritising indigenous production and innovation. The Bharat Defence Tech Show (BDTS) 2026 is meticulously designed to be the epicenter of cutting-edge defence innovation, fostering a dialogue between the brightest minds in technology and the strategic needs of our nation's defence.

  • Unparalleled Insights
  • Deep Tech Exploration
  • Strategic Networking
  • Innovation & Technology Showcase
  • Make in India & Atmanirbhar Bharat
Code to Combat / Future Forward / Innovate Defence / Tech Supremacy / Combat Readiness /
Code to Combat / Future Forward / Innovate Defence / Tech Supremacy / Combat Readiness /
Why Attend

Pioneer Strategic Advantage & Deep Tech Insights

Gain unparalleled insights and connect with 400+ decision-makers. Explore groundbreaking tech and collaboration opportunities aligned with national priorities.

Unparalleled Insights

Gain exclusive access to thought leadership from top military brass, DRDO scientists, industry innovators, and global tech visionaries.

Deep Tech Exploration

Dive into multi-track sessions covering the most critical technologies shaping future warfare – from AI & Quantum to Robotics & Cybersecurity.

Strategic Networking

Connect with a curated community of 300+ decision-makers, potential partners, and solution providers across the defence ecosystem.

Innovation Showcase

Discover ground-breaking solutions from India's vibrant startup landscape and established defence manufacturers in our dedicated Tech Showcase.

"Make in India" & "Atmanirbhar Bharat"

Understand the roadmap for indigenous defence production and explore collaboration opportunities aligned with national priorities.

Who You Will Meet

  • Senior Officials (MoD, DRDO, PSUs)
  • Military Leadership
  • Defence Industry CXOs & R&D Heads
  • Founders of Defence Tech Startups
  • Academics & Researchers
  • Venture Capitalists & Investors
Advisory Board

The Brains Behind BDTS 2026

Meet the esteemed Advisory Board, comprised of top military, DRDO, and industry leaders guiding the summit's strategic vision.

Maj Gen Ashok K Dhingra, SM
(Retired)

Tri-Services Special Forces Division

Rear Admiral Mohit Gupta, VSM
(Retired)

DG of India's Defence Cyber Agency

Air Marshal Sujeet P Dharkar, PVSM UYSM AVSM, (Retired)

Vice Chief of the Air Staff

Dr. B.K. Das

Director General, ECS, DRDO
Partners

Our Esteemed Partners

Association Partner

ISPA
IACC

Knowledge Partner

USI
APS

“Emerging technologies are no longer superpower-centric... Warfare has also transcended into new domains, such as cyber, electromagnetic spectrum, information and space.”

General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff
Speakers

Defence Innovators & Experts

Global leaders, defence pioneers & strategic thinkers shaping the future of defence.

Shri Rohan Gala

Founder & CEO at Sanlayan

Shri Satya Gopal

Founder & CEO at Constelli Signals

Shri Yeshwanth Reddy

CEO at Unmannd

Rear Admiral Shri Vipin Kumar Saxena (Retd)

CEO at Swan Defence and Heavy Industries

Shri Rohan Ganapathy

CEO & CTO at Bellatrix Aerospace

Shri Kiran Penumacha

CEO at Indrajaal

Conference Schedule

2 Days of Defence Tech Excellence

  • Day 1

    Monday, February 16th, 2026
  • Day 2

    Tuesday, February 17th, 2026
  • 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM

    Registration & Networking

    Delegates and participants register, collect event materials, and network over coffee.

    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

    Inauguration of BDTS 2026 & Exhibition Opening

    The event officially begins with a lamp-lighting ceremony and a welcome address, formally opening the exhibition floor.

    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Panel Discussion: India's Defence Modernization Roadmap

    Strategic imperatives driving military modernization, the "Make in India" initiative, and the role of technology in achieving self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat).

    12:00 PM - 01:00 PM

    Fireside Chat: Lessons from Modern Warfare: A Focus on Operation Sindoor

    A candid discussion on the strategic and tactical takeaways from recent multi-domain operations and the effective use of integrated command and control systems.

    01:00 PM - 02:30 PM

    Break / Networking Exhibition Visit & Lunch

    Delegates explore the exhibition floor, engaging with live demonstration s and technology showcases, followed by a networking lunch.

    02:30 PM - 03:30 PM

    Panel Discussion: The Future of Unmanned Warfare

    Focus on the strategic and operational integration of UAVs, UGVs, and autonomous systems, and the ethical considerations in modern conflict.

    03:30 PM - 04:30 PM

    Panel Discussion: Diplomatic Dialogue: Building Global Defence Partnerships (Ambassadors'Panel)

    Ambassadors and High Commissioner s of key foreign defence trade partners discuss bilateral defence cooperation, facilitating technology transfer, and streamlining market access for Indian defence products.

    04:30 - 05:30 PM

    Panel Discussion: Innovation in Modern Warfare: A Tri-Party Dialogue

    Exploration of disruptive technologies like AI and Quantum Computing, featuring dialogue between senior MoD, intelligence, and private industry leaders.

    05:30 - 06:00 PM

    Networking: Networking Tea & Departure

    Final networking opportunities before the close of Day 1.

    07:00 PM Onwards

    Exclusive Event: Exclusive Leadership Dinner (Invite Only)

    A private dinner for apex leadership to cultivate strategic relationships and explore high-impact partnerships.

  • 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM

    Networking & Coffee

    Delegates and participants network over coffee before the day's sessions begin.

    10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

    Keynote: Technology as the Force Multiplier in Future Warfare

    A visionary address from a global leader in the defence technology sector on the industry's future and the role of private enterprise in national defence.

    10:30 AM - 11:15 PM

    Fireside Chat: Space Technology for Defence

    Exploring the critical role of space-based assets in modern defence, covering satellite surveillance, secure comms, and Space Situational Awareness (SSA).

    11:15 PM - 12:00 PM

    Panel Discussion: Strategic Surveillance & Intelligence

    Discussion on the convergence of technology and intelligence gathering, covering AI-driven data analytics, satellite imagery, and cyber intelligence.

    12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

    Keynote Address: Propelling India as a Global Defence Export Hub

    A high-level address outlining the vision and strategy for transforming India into a major global defence exporter, focusing on government initiatives, streamlining processes, and leveraging indigenous technology for global markets.

    12:30 PM - 02:00 PM

    Break / Networking Exhibition Visit & Lunch

    A final opportunity for delegates to explore the exhibition and network over lunch.

    02:00 PM - 03:30 PM

    Showcase: "NextGen Defence" Startup Showcase

    A dedicated session to showcase India's vibrant defence startup ecosystem, featuring presentations to a jury of industry leaders and military experts.

    03:30 PM - 04:00 PM

    Networking Coffee Break

    A short break for networking.

    04:00 PM - 05:00 PM

    Panel Discussion: Navigating Defence Trade: Policy, Partnerships, and Export Controls

    Examination of the regulatory landscape for defence exports, including the role of financing mechanisms, compliance with international export controls, and effective strategies for scaling up India's defence manufacturing and export capabilities.

    05:00 PM - 05:30 PM

    Concluding Session: Closing Session & Closing Remarks

    A summary of the key outcomes and discussions from the two-day event, followed by votes of thanks and the official closing of BDTS 2026.

    05:30 PM Onwards

    Networking High Tea & Departure

    Final networking over high tea as delegates depart.

  • 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
    Tomás Eriksson
    Founder, RealSim AI

    Academia-Industry Collaboration Forum & B2B Matchmaking

    This session is dedicated to fostering stronger ties between academic research and industrial application. It will include facilitated discussions on bridging the "valley of death" for defence technologies, followed by structured B2B matchmaking sessions to connect potential partners for collaboration, co-development, and supply chain integration. Identification of research-to-industry pathways, initiation of potential partnerships, concrete B2B connections.

    03:30 PM - 04:00 PM
    Aisha Mensah
    Senior AI Strategist, Datavine

    Coffee Break

    A final break for refreshments and concluding informal discussions.

    04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
    Leo Tanaka
    Robotics Engineer, MetaForm

    Valedictory Session & Closing Remarks

    The concluding session will summarize the key takeaways and insights from the two-day summit. It will feature a valedictory address from a senior dignitary, reinforcing the commitments made and outlining the path forward for India's defence technology journey. Consolidation of key learnings, a forward-looking perspective, official closure of BDTS 2026.

  • 09:00 – 10:30 AM
    Nina Köhler
    Chief Product Officer, SynthOS

    Session: AI in Product Design — From Concept to Launch

    Nina shares how AI is revolutionizing product development, from ideation to real-time user feedback integration.

    11:00 – 12:30 PM
    Emmanuel Ruiz
    CEO, NextCore Analytics

    Session: Scaling AI Infrastructure for Enterprise

    Explore key considerations when deploying and managing scalable, secure, and cost-effective AI systems in the enterprise space.

    14:00 – 15:30 PM
    Isabelle Chen
    Head of Language Models, LumoAI

    Session: Multilingual AI — Global Challenges & Innovations

    How modern LLMs are overcoming linguistic bias, translation errors, and dialect diversity in global applications.

    16:00 – 17:30 PM
    Connor Walsh
    Cloud AI Architect, SkyStack

    Workshop: Building AI Pipelines in the Cloud

    Hands-on session building a full AI workflow using serverless tech, vector databases, and model deployment strategies.

  • 09:00 – 10:30 AM
    Elena Greco
    Ethics Advisor, Global AI Forum

    Session: Ethical Design in AI — A Human-Centered Approach

    A deep dive into responsible AI, highlighting bias mitigation, fairness, transparency, and global implications of autonomous systems.

    11:00 – 12:30 PM
    Marcus Dlamini
    Founder, EduAI Labs

    Session: Personalized Learning with AI

    Explore how AI-driven platforms are transforming education with adaptive learning paths and dynamic content delivery.

    14:00 – 15:30 PM
    Lara Nguyen
    GenAI Director, NovaSynth

    Session: Creative AI — From Text to Video

    Lara demonstrates how generative AI is transforming content creation, with real-time demos in video, audio, and image generation.

    16:00 – 17:30 PM
    Dr. Hassan Al-Mansour
    Lead Data Scientist, FutureVision

    Closing Keynote: AI & Humanity — Co-Evolution or Collapse?

    A visionary closing on AI’s long-term trajectory, human-AI collaboration, and the existential questions we must answer now.

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Attendees

Invited Countries


Showcase Arena

Exhibition & Technology Showcase

A curated display of innovative defence products and solutions.

Brand Exposure and Visibility

Elevate your brand and gain visibility with a targeted audience of defence professionals, decision-makers, and potential customers.

Direct Engagement

Meet face-to-face with key decision-makers, potential partners, and solution providers across the defence ecosystem. This allows for personalized interactions, building trust, and forging long-term relationships.

Lead Generation

Generate qualified leads by demonstrating products and solutions to a receptive audience actively seeking new technologies and partners.

Market Insights

Gain valuable insights into industry trends and competitor activities by observing other exhibitors and engaging with attendees.

Business Growth

Explore collaboration opportunities and secure new partnerships that are aligned with national initiatives like "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat."

Strategic Positioning

Position your company as an industry leader and contributor to India's defence technological supremacy.

Event Location

Location & Venue

Join us in the heart of India's innovation, Delhi. The event will be held at the Manekshaw Centre.

Everything You Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bharat Defence Tech Show (BDTS) 2026?
Bharat Defence Tech Show (BDTS) 2026 is a two-day summit focused on defence technology innovation and strategic collaboration. The event's theme is "Innovating India's Defence: From Code to Combat Readiness". It is intended to be a central point for cutting-edge defence innovation, fostering dialogue between technology experts and the strategic needs of India's defence.
When and where will BDTS 2026 take place?
The event will be held at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi, India, from February 16–17, 2026
What are the key highlights and sessions at BDTS 2026?
Highlights of BDTS 2026 include visionary keynote addresses, technical sessions, the 'NextGen Defence' Startup Showcase, roundtable meetings, an exhibition and technology showcase, a dedicated Startup Zone, and an exclusive, invite-only leadership dinner. Technical sessions will cover topics such as Robotics & Autonomous Systems, and Space & ISR Technologies, Cybersecurity & Secure Comms.
Who is the target audience for BDTS 2026?
BDTS 2026 is designed for a curated community of over 500 decision-makers, potential partners, and solution providers within the defence ecosystem. Attendees will include senior officials from the MoD, DRDO, and PSUs; military leadership; Defence Industry CXOs and R&D Heads; founders of defence tech startups; academics; researchers; venture capitalists; and investors.
Is the event open to the public?
No, BDTS 2026 is an invite-only event with highly curated participants.
What are the benefits of attending the show?
Attendees will gain unparalleled insights from military leaders, DRDO scientists, and industry innovators. The event provides an opportunity for deep tech exploration, strategic networking, and a showcase of groundbreaking solutions from both startups and established manufacturers. It also offers a chance to understand the roadmap for indigenous defence production and explore collaboration opportunities aligned with the "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiatives.
How can companies get involved with BDTS 2026?
Companies can get involved through various sponsorship opportunities, including Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Startup Zone sponsorship tiers. There are also opportunities to secure exhibition booths to promote a brand. Custom sponsorship packages are available to meet specific objectives.
What is the "Exclusive Leadership Dinner"?
The Exclusive Leadership Dinner is an invite-only event on the evening of Day 1 (February 16, 2026) for top military commanders, MoD officials, DRDO leadership, and select industry CXOs. Its purpose is to foster strategic relationships and explore high-impact partnerships for technological advancement in defence.
Who is organizing BDTS 2026?
The event is organized by ChkdIn in collaboration with some of the brightest minds of Indian Military.
How can I register for the event or learn more about sponsorship?
You can register for the event by securing a delegate pass, with Early Bird, Standard, and Late/Spot registration options available. To inquire about sponsorship, you can contact the event team via email at partnerships@bharatdefencetechshow.com

More information is available on the event website
www.bharatdefencetechshow.com
News & Media

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