Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has recently emphasized the critical need for collaboration within India's defence sector to foster robust national capabilities. He believes that a multi-player ecosystem is essential, as no single entity can independently fulfill the country's extensive defence requirements.

Chandrasekaran articulated this vision during a visit to Solar Industries Defence Facility in Nagpur, reaffirming the Tata Group's commitment to contributing to the defence sector. He stressed that the approach to defence manufacturing should transcend a purely business perspective, emphasizing that it is fundamentally about building essential capabilities for the nation. This encompasses various domains, including ammunition, missiles, and other critical areas, highlighting the vast scope for development and contribution.

The Tata Group's vision is long-term, prioritizing national interests above immediate business gains. Chandrasekaran stated that their focus is on assessing necessary capabilities, understanding existing resources, and identifying areas for development, rather than solely pursuing short-term business plans. This strategic outlook aims to establish a solid foundation for long-term national defence capabilities.

Tata's involvement in the defence sector dates back to the 1940s, when it supplied armored steel during World War II. Under the leadership of Ratan Tata, the group significantly invested in the country's defence production, including joint ventures with global giants like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. In line with this legacy, Tata Sons announced in 2018 the consolidation of its aerospace and defence businesses into a single entity, Tata Aerospace & Defence (Tata A&D), to better target emerging opportunities and enhance competitiveness.

Tata A&D aims to leverage expertise across the group, focusing on land mobility solutions, aerospace, weapon systems, and command, control, communication, computers, and intelligence (C4I). The company intends to develop indigenous platforms tailored for the Indian defence forces, aligning with the "Make in India" initiative. Tata's strategy includes partnering with global defence companies to manufacture parts in India, assembling large platforms with foreign intellectual property, and developing its own intellectual property for areas where foreign technology is restricted.

N Chandrasekaran's emphasis on collaboration reflects the Tata Group's broader approach to nation-building and its commitment to strengthening India's defence capabilities through strategic partnerships and long-term investments. This collaborative spirit aims to create a dynamic and resilient defence sector, ensuring the nation's security and self-reliance. In June 2025, Tata Sons announced it would be investing ₹30,000 crore into some of its fastest-growing and strategically important ventures, including its defence and battery businesses. Furthermore, Tata Advanced Systems is expected to launch an IPO in 2025, signaling the group's further expansion into aerospace and defence.