‘Force of the Future’: THE WEEK set to host first Defence Conclave on April 17
As India continues its march towards self-reliance in defence, THE WEEK and the Malayala Manorama Group are all set to host the inaugural edition of THE WEEK Defence Conclave on April 17, 2025, at the prestigious Manekshaw Centre in Delhi. Titled ‘Force of the Future’, the Conclave promises a full day of high-octane discussions, insights, and policy-oriented brainstorming on the dynamic transformation of India’s defence sector.
From policymakers and military leadership to technocrats, entrepreneurs, innovators, and scholars, the event will bring together a stellar line-up of speakers and panellists who are shaping India’s defence narrative. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the conclave and deliver the keynote address, setting the tone for the day-long exchange of ideas.
The conclave’s theme reflects the tectonic shifts underway in India’s defence narrative - driven by technological advancements, geopolitical challenges, and the push for ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance). Across seven panel discussions, participants will explore everything from defence reforms and indigenous production to emerging technologies and the evolving role of startups and MSMEs in the sector.
Key sessions include special addresses by eminent former service chiefs such as General Manoj Pande, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, and Admiral Sunil Lanba, each offering unique insights from the Army, Air Force and Navy respectively. The panels will delve into vital issues such as fighter engine development post-Kaveri, warship manufacturing capabilities, India’s defence export potential, and the critical choice between indigenous manufacturing versus global procurement.
Notably, the conclave will also witness the launch of THE WEEK’s dedicated Defence News micro-site, reinforcing the publication’s long-standing commitment to credible, in-depth coverage of matters military.
Industry leaders from DRDO, BrahMos Aerospace, Airbus, HAL, and private players like VEM Technologies and Innefu Labs will share their perspectives alongside government officials and innovators, making the conversations rare and rich blend of experience, foresight and vision.
The conclave spotlight will firmly remain on India’s resolve to become not just a strong military power, but one that is future-ready, self-reliant, and globally competitive.
For a sector undergoing such an extraordinary churn, THE WEEK Defence Conclave 2025 could not be more timely—or more crucial.
Panel themes and highlights
🔹 Panel 1: Momentous Changes—Defence Reforms
Special Address: General Manoj Pande (Retd), Former Chief of Army Staff
Moderator: Sanjay Mitra, Former Defence Secretary
Panelists:
Lt Gen Vinod Khandare (Retd), Former Defence Intelligence Agency Head
Lt Gen Devendra Pratap Pandey (Retd), Former Commandant, Army War College
Gp Capt Dr Rajiv Kumar Narang (Retd), Manohar Parrikar IDSA
🔹 Panel 2: The Fighter Engine Challenge—Where Do We Go After Kaveri?
Special Address: Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari (Retd), Former IAF Chief
Moderator: Air Marshal Ajay Kumar Arora (Retd)
Panelists:
Dr S.V. Ramanamurthy, Director, GTRE
Anshuman Tripathi, ex-NSAB Advisor
Air Vice Marshal Suresh Singh (Retd)
V. Venkat Raju, MD, VEM Technologies
🔹 Panel 3: How Ready is India to Make for the World? – India’s Defence Export Potential
Special Address: Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence Production, MoD
Moderator: Maj Gen Kirti V. Jauhar (Retd)
Panelists:
Dharmendra K. Singh, Joint Secretary & Acquisition Manager (Air), MoD
Dr Atul D. Rane, former CMD, BrahMos Aerospace
Venkat Katkuri, Head, Defence & Space (India & South Asia), Airbus
Dr C. Ramanarayanan, former Director, GTRE
🔹 Panel 4: Building a Builders’ Navy—How to Make India a Warship Manufacturing Hub?
Special Address: Admiral Sunil Lanba (Retd), Former Navy Chief
Moderator: Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller of Warship Production
Panelists:
Dr Manu Kollura, DG (Resources & Management), DRDO
Jathesh Chandra, DG (Design), Cochin Shipyard
Commodore RS Vasan (Retd), Chennai Centre for China Studies
Commander Vasudev Puranik, Mazagon Dockyard
🔹 Panel 5: Deep and Niche Technologies—Where Are We?
Special Address: Dr Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, DDR&D and Chairman, DRDO
Moderator: Lt Gen MU Nair (Retd), National Cyber Security Coordinator
Panelists:
Lt Gen DS Rana, DG, Defence Intelligence Agency
Maj Gen Shantanu Kashyap, ADG, Army Aviation Corps
RR Swain, former DGP, Jammu & Kashmir
AVM Rajeeva Ranjan (Retd)
Tarun Wig, CEO, Innefu Labs
🔹 Panel 6: To Make or to Buy—How Do the Services Choose?
🔹 Panel 7: Start-ups & MSMEs—Challenges, Opportunities, and Expectations
Defence