Minister of Defense of the Rajnath Singh Union. | Photo credit: PTI
India is focusing on indigenization, innovation and global leadership not only to ensure its borders but also to position ITELF as a key player in the international defense ecosystem, said Defense Minister Rajnath on Thursday (April 17, 2025).
Speaking in a defense conclave organized by The weekMr. Singh declared: “Today, while the Indian defense sector is moving on the path of self -sufficiency, it is also ready to play a very important role in making global supply chains be resistant.” He added: “The day is not very far when India not only arose as a developed country, but our military power will also arise as number one in the world.”
Mr. Singh described the objective of reducing import dependence through the construction of an industrial defense complex that meets national requirements and improves the export potential. Observing that India currently exports defense products to approximately 100 countries, the set of export objectives of ₹ 30,000 million rupees for the current year and ₹ 500 billion rupees by 2029.
By highlighting technological advances in the defense domain, the minister acknowledged that the manufacture of aerodynamic engines remains a significant challenge. He pointed out the progress in the indigenous project of the Kaveri engine, developed for aircraft and air-manned aircraft (UCAV), and ongoing discussions with global companies such as Safran, General Electric and the Rolls-Royce sector.
The impulse for the manufacture of national defense has the double purpose of guaranteeing national security and strategic autonomy by isolating the world of supply chain interruptions, Singh explained. “Our defense abilities are like a credible deterrence, to maintain peace and tranquility. Peace is only possible when we remain strong,” he said.
When addressing the evolutionary nature of war, Mr. Singh warned that future conflicts are probably more violent and unpredictable. He highlighted the appearance of cybernetic and space as new battlefields, along with the growing importance of narrative war and perception worldwide.
Detailing the ongoing indigenization campaign, Mr. Singh referred to the five positive indigenization lists (PIL) issued by the Armed Forces and another five by companies in the Public Defense Sector (DPSU), which reserve specific elements for the acquisition of national sources. He said that services lists include 509 main equipment, weapons and platform systems, while DPSU lists cover 5,012 elements, including strategically important line replacement units, subsystems, spare parts and components.
The minister highlighted the growth of the national defense production of ₹ 40,000 million rupees in 2014 to more than ₹ 1.27 Lakh Crore today. “This year, defense production should cross ₹ 1.60 Lakh Crore, while our goal is to produce defense equipment worth 3 Lakh Crore by 2029,” he added.
Published – April 17, 2025 09:29 PM IST
