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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that the effective use of indigenous defence equipment during Operation Sindoor has significantly enhanced India’s reputation both in the region and on the global stage.
Speaking at the Annual Session of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), themed “Defence Self-Reliance: Strengthening National Security through Indigenous Industry”, Singh emphasised the critical role of self-reliance and innovation in securing the nation’s future.
Singh highlighted the impressive performance of homegrown systems such as the Akash missile, BrahMos, and AkashTeer Air Defence Control System, noting that their operational success reflected India’s growing technological capability. He credited both the Armed Forces and the domestic defence industry, whom he called “industry warriors”, for their contributions to the mission’s success.
“Operation Sindoor must be studied as a case for continuous learning and preparedness,” Singh said, adding that the episode underlined the unpredictable nature of modern conflict. “We must be ready for any contingency, and our readiness should rest on the foundation of indigenous capability.”
Calling for deeper participation from private players, Singh urged the domestic industry to focus on manufacturing core subsystems and components, and to take the lead in supply and maintenance chains. “We need to ensure that India’s defence platforms are not only made here but are truly ‘Made in India, Made for the World’ products,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a robust manufacturing base under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, citing initiatives such as the Quantum Mission, the Atal Innovation Mission, and the National Research Foundation as enablers of a strong innovation ecosystem.
The minister pointed out that India’s defence production has seen an impressive rise, from about Rs 46,000 crore in 2014 to Rs 1.51 lakh crore today — with the private sector contributing Rs 33,000 crore. Defence exports, once below Rs 1,000 crore a decade ago, have now reached approximately Rs 24,000 crore. “We are confident that exports will touch Rs 30,000 crore by March 2026,” he said.
He also revealed that the Defence Procurement Manual 2025 has been released and that the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 is being revised to further streamline processes. Singh called upon the private sector to boost its share in defence manufacturing from the current 25% to at least 50% within the next three years.
Reiterating that indigenisation is the only sustainable path forward, Singh explained that reliance on imported systems for maintenance, repair, and spare parts imposes long-term financial and strategic costs. “Our goal should be to ensure that our soil becomes our shield,” he asserted.
Encouraging the industry to focus on large-scale technological solutions, Singh said initiatives like iDEX and ADITI are already empowering startups and innovators. “As SIDM completes ten years next year, I urge our industry to take up the challenge of developing end-to-end indigenous products. Together, we can reshape the future of India’s defence landscape,” he added.
The event was attended by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, SIDM President Rajinder Singh Bhatia, SIDM Director General Ramesh K, former President SP Shukla, senior defence officials, industry leaders, and young entrepreneurs.
Team BharatShakti
