Centre-state synergy should boost startup ecosystem
As operational pictures emerged, a Malayali vlogger remarked, 'Imagine this launcher on a small patrol boat. With proper training and situational awareness, the Navy can wreak havoc with this. Good stuff from the startup — hope they succeed.'
Such innovation reflects the growing momentum among young minds aiming to break into defence technology, particularly following Operation Sindoor. Here, Kerala's strategic relevance is underscored by its status as home to the national space agency and as a rising hub for startups.
'Most startups are now in the space sector, although defence has been getting attention in the last few years. The products are finishing only now after incubation,' said Varun G, technical officer at Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), which reportedly has tie-ups with about 60 defence-based startups.
Experts point out that proficiency in space technology translates effectively into defence capabilities. Prateesh V Nair, CEO of space startup Tachlog, explains: 'Whatever you do in space, the same can be done in defence with not as much complexity. We are a space startup but are now aggressively pushing into defence as well.'
Prateesh sees this sector only growing. The key word is indigenisation. 'What we witnessed recently was a direct result of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative,' he said.
'For example, we used our own NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) system instead of relying on the US-based GPS for surveillance. Kerala has potential — but it must be requirement-driven. Defence prefers end-to-end products, not just specific parts or projects, which makes funding more challenging. Now, with IDEX stepping in, opportunities will only grow.'
Prateesh also highlights the risks of collaborative efforts like the Indo-Russian BrahMos missile. Such partnerships involve tech transfers, but with deterrents in place to prevent use against the partner nation in future conflicts.
'Every country does this. If we devise systems ourselves, we are in full control,' he said.
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"I do believe that the current situation will ease out in a quarter or two. I don't think that from a long-term picture, the India impact will be that significant but in the short run, there will be some impact," he said no one can guess the exact reasons why President Donald Trump chose to slap the high tariffs on India, wondering if it's the fallout of Operation Sindoor or something even more the CEA said the focus on tariff-related issues should not blind us to more "important challenges", including the impact of artificial intelligence, reliance on one country for critical minerals, and their processing and strengthening of supply exhorted the private sector to do more "as we navigate these longer-term challenges, promising that public policy will play the facilitator's role"."Private sector also has a lot of thinking to do, given the massive strategic challenges we face in the coming years... the private sector also has to think about the long-term rather than the next quarter, which is what might have led to many of the challenges we are currently beginning to face," he said in the comments aimed at India however, did not elaborate on the subject any that the government has allocated money towards the research purposes, he said it is now for the private sector to up their investments in the Indian youth is staring at both physical and health health issues arising from excess screen use, consumption of ultra processed food, etc, which is leading to anxieties and even suicidal thoughts among people, the CEA said, seeking the private sector's help to tackle the welcomed the capital expenditure put in by the private sector in FY26 and data to be released in February next year will attest to the consumption story is "quite healthy", the CEA said, pointing to the data on UPI usage. 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Understand that crude oil (sources) at least is more diversified," he said."Indian policy makers must choose between accepting permanent strategic dependence on adversaries or committing the resources necessary for genuine support to independence," Nageswaran that AI will cause labour displacement, Nageswaran pitched for caution in AI adoption and added that "we will have to choose the areas in which we allow AI to be deployed and harnessed, and also the speed with which we do so".There is a need to create at least 80 lakh new jobs per annum in the next 10-12 years, he added.(With inputs from PTI)
