AUG 30: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today asserted that in an era marked by terrorism, pandemics, and regional conflicts, self-reliance in defence has become a necessity for India’s survival, sovereignty, and progress. Addressing the Defence Conclave on ‘Warfare in the 21st Century’ in New Delhi, he emphasised that Aatmanirbharta in defence is not about protectionism but about safeguarding national autonomy and strengthening India’s global standing.
The Minister recalled Operation Sindoor, where India’s armed forces decisively defeated Pakistan using indigenous systems. He noted that while the operation appeared to be a brief military campaign, it was the outcome of years of preparation, strategic vision, and reliance on home-grown defence capabilities.
Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the Sudarshan Chakra Mission, a futuristic initiative announced by the Prime Minister, aimed at providing full aerial defence across critical locations in the next decade. He praised the recent DRDO success in testing an integrated indigenous air defence system that hit three targets simultaneously, calling it the first step toward achieving this vision.
The Minister also announced progress on the indigenous aero-engine project, a critical step in India’s aerospace self-reliance, and hailed milestones in naval shipbuilding with INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri—stealth frigates built entirely in India.
He underlined that defence has transformed into an engine of economic growth, with domestic defence production crossing ₹1.5 lakh crore and exports surging to nearly ₹24,000 crore in 2025, up from just ₹700 crore in 2014. Over 3,000 items earlier imported are now indigenously manufactured under Positive Indigenisation Lists.
Reforms such as Defence Industrial Corridors, corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board, increased FDI limits, and the iDEX scheme for start-ups were cited as transformative steps. Singh also celebrated the role of women officers, who now serve in combat roles, calling them a symbol of a modern and inclusive military.
“India seeks no enemies but will never compromise on its interests. The more pressure the world applies, the stronger India emerges,” he declared, reiterating that Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence is not a slogan but a roadmap for security, sovereignty, and growth.