Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday underscored the importance of self-reliance in defence, stating it is no longer an option but a necessity for India’s survival, sovereignty, and progress.
Speaking at the Defence Conclave in New Delhi themed ‘Warfare in the 21st Century’, Singh asserted that self-reliance should not be mistaken for protectionism but understood as a path to strategic autonomy.
Citing the success of Operation Sindoor, Singh hailed the Indian Armed Forces’ precise and indigenous execution as a turning point. “It may appear a short war, but years of preparation and indigenisation made the victory possible,” he said.
The Defence Minister also announced progress on the Sudarshan Chakra Mission, a decade-long initiative to establish full aerial protection using advanced indigenous systems.
Singh highlighted the successful August 23 test of a new integrated air defence weapon system by DRDO, and reaffirmed India’s resolve to build all its warships domestically, pointing to the commissioning of INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri as proof.
He further revealed that groundwork for a powerful indigenous aero-engine is nearing completion—a sector where India has traditionally struggled. Singh said the question today is no longer if India can build such systems, but how fast they can be deployed.
India’s defence exports have surged from Rs 700 crore in 2014 to nearly Rs 24,000 crore in 2025, with both public and private sectors playing key roles. Over 3,000 items on the Positive Indigenisation Lists are now being produced in India.
He called the defence sector a key pillar of India’s economic growth, with domestic production crossing Rs 1.5 lakh crore, and lauded initiatives like iDEX for involving youth and start-ups in innovation.
Singh reaffirmed India’s peaceful stance internationally but warned that the nation would not compromise on its interests. “Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence is not a slogan—it’s a roadmap to national strength,” he said.
