The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing to organise the Defence and Aerospace Conclave 2026 in Lucknow as part of its strategy to position the state as a major hub for defence manufacturing and aerospace investment in India.
Led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the proposed conclave aims to accelerate industrial expansion within the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor and support the Centre’s broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in the defence sector.
According to the proposed roadmap, the conclave will focus on attracting investments, strengthening collaboration between industry and government agencies, and creating technology-driven employment opportunities for the youth. The event is expected to bring together defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs), aerospace firms, research institutions, policymakers and private industry leaders on a common platform.
The Uttar Pradesh government plans to showcase the state’s strategic advantages for defence manufacturing, including its expressway network, industrial land availability, improving logistics infrastructure, single-window clearance mechanism and law-and-order environment.
An inaugural session is proposed in the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, while several panel discussions are also expected to take place during the conclave. Key themes will include defence and aerospace investment opportunities in Uttar Pradesh, ease of doing business in the defence sector, employment generation and the role of DPSUs in strengthening the UP Defence Corridor.
The event is also expected to feature interactions between government representatives and industry stakeholders through dedicated B2B and B2G meetings aimed at facilitating direct engagement and investment discussions.
The proposed invitee list includes major public sector defence companies such as Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Bharat Electronics and BEML, along with global aerospace and defence firms including Boeing, Airbus and Lockheed Martin.
Large Indian conglomerates such as Tata Group and Adani Group are also proposed to participate. Besides them, MSME and technology-focused firms including MKU, PTC Industries, ideaForge and Skyroot Aerospace are likely to attend.
Research and government organisations such as Defence Research and Development Organisation, National Aerospace Laboratories and Bureau of Indian Standards are also expected to participate in the conclave.
Officials indicated that the event could result in the signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), expansion of testing and certification infrastructure and the creation of a strategic roadmap for the next phase of the UP Defence Industrial Corridor.
The Uttar Pradesh government has positioned the defence corridor as a key pillar of its trillion-dollar economy roadmap. The proposed conclave is expected to further strengthen the state’s ambitions of emerging as a major centre for defence production, aerospace manufacturing and high-skilled employment generation in India.
