By A Correspondent

New Delhi: In a strong signal of its commitment to India’s defence manufacturing ambitions, US aerospace and defence major Lockheed Martin concluded the 11th edition of its India Suppliers Conference in Bengaluru on Nov. 3, 2025, bringing together over 30 Indian companies and senior defence officials to explore deeper industrial collaboration.

The one-day conference reaffirmed Lockheed Martin’s intent to strengthen India’s defence industrial base and expand its integration with global supply chains.

More than 100 delegates from large firms, MSMEs, and start-ups participated, while nearly 50 business-to-business meetings were held to identify potential partnerships and co-development opportunities for upcoming Indian Armed Forces programmes, the company said in a statement on Nov. 10, 2025.

Lockheed Martin’s India country head, Michael Fernandez, said the company’s annual supplier conferences underscore its “enduring commitment” to partnership and co-innovation with the Indian industry.

“We continue to engage with Indian suppliers to co-create solutions that enhance supply chain integration and expand global market access,” Fernandez said, adding that collaborations between India and the US defence sectors are poised for “shared growth and strategic alignment.”

Adding weight to the event, Lockheed Martin chief supply chain officer Abby Lilly highlighted how global sourcing, manufacturing excellence, and policy alignment would play a critical role in deepening India–US strategic collaboration.

She emphasised that India’s evolving industrial ecosystem offers significant opportunities for joint innovation and export-oriented manufacturing.

The conference also drew participation from the Karnataka government’s Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director of Industries & Commerce Gunjan Krishna, and senior Indian Armed Forces officers.

Krishna underlined Karnataka’s rise as a global hub for advanced manufacturing and aerospace innovation, noting the state’s growing importance in the country’s defence and technology ecosystem.

Recognising excellence among Indian partners, Lockheed Martin awarded Indian firms Rossell Techsys Limited for outstanding contributions to its global production programs and offset commitments, and Veer-O-Metals Private Limited for exceptional quality and cost-efficiency initiatives.

Following the event, Lockheed Martin’s supply chain teams visited around 20 supplier facilities across India to assess capabilities, foster alliances, and explore new areas for co-production, a move seen as part of its broader effort to anchor more of its manufacturing base in India under the government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiatives.

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