New Delhi, June 28 -- India's defence sector is emerging as a significant avenue for startups, MSMEs, and young entrepreneurs, offering not just business opportunities but also a chance to contribute to national security and technological advancement.

Former Chairperson of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), R. Nandini, highlighted this potential during a recent industry interaction, stating that the ecosystem is now ripe for innovation and local enterprise.

With growing focus on "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" and self-reliance in defence production, the government has rolled out multiple initiatives to encourage private participation.

Schemes like the Technology Development Fund (TDF) by DRDO and the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excel...