By A Correspondent

New Delhi/Bengaluru: In a major step toward strengthening India’s defence manufacturing base and integrating local firms into the global supply chain, US aerospace and defence giant Lockheed Martin announced that it will host the 11th edition of its India Suppliers Conference on Nov. 3, 2025, in Bengaluru.

Themed “Collaborate to Transform,” the one-day conference is designed to bring together key stakeholders from India’s defence and industrial ecosystem to explore collaborative opportunities and empower domestic suppliers.

The event will be attended by Lockheed Martin’s Chief Supply Chain Officer, alongside senior executives from the company’s business areas, industrial development, and business development teams.

According to the company, the conference aims to serve as a dynamic platform for engaging Indian companies, helping them connect with global supply chains, and promoting indigenous innovation in line with the Government of India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) vision, aligning with India’s national priority to accelerate defence exports.

It will also explore avenues for partnerships with both existing and new suppliers to meet future procurement requirements of the Indian armed forces, the company said in a statement on Oct. 30, 2025.

“Our annual conferences have enabled Indian industry not only to access the global supply chain but also foster greater inclusion by allowing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and startups the prospect to innovate and participate on a global stage,” Lockheed Martin’s India country head, Michael Fernandez, said.

“We look forward to strengthening our long-standing relationship and exploring new opportunities to partner with the Indian industry to address our customers’ biggest challenges for the 21st Century and grow our presence and partnerships in support of greater self-reliance in the defence sector,” he added.

The 2025 conference will feature:

• Keynote address by a senior government official leading the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in Karnataka.
• An address by Lockheed Martin’s Chief Supply Chain Officer on global sourcing, manufacturing excellence, and policy alignment with India.
• Recognition of Indian suppliers for their outstanding contributions.
• Presentations by representatives from Lockheed Martin’s key business areas.
• B2B meetings between Indian companies and Lockheed Martin’s supply chain and business development teams.
• Showcases by Indian MSMEs and startups highlighting their capabilities and portfolios.

The 10th edition of the Suppliers Conference, held in 2024, witnessed participation from around 50 Indian firms, including MSMEs and startups, along with over 120 delegates.

The event facilitated more than 70 business-to-business meetings with Lockheed Martin and international partners such as GE Aerospace, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, Martin Baker, and Northrop Grumman.

Lockheed Martin has been associated with India for over seven decades, and its collaborations span more than 30 years in manufacturing and technology partnerships.

The company continues to play a pivotal role in developing India’s defence industrial base, fostering human capital, and supporting initiatives that build sovereign capabilities.

Beyond defence systems, it has also contributed to technical training and apprenticeship programmes aimed at empowering underrepresented communities.

As India seeks to become a global hub for defence production and exports, Lockheed Martin’s India Suppliers Conference highlights how international partnerships can help bolster local innovation, enhance self-reliance, and create a globally competitive ecosystem for the Indian defence industry.

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