Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently announced a significant milestone: India successfully sourced military hardware and weapons valued at a staggering ₹1.20 lakh crore from domestic manufacturers by the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year. This impressive achievement underscores the nation’s steadfast commitment to bolstering self-reliance and effectively addressing contemporary national security challenges.
Speaking at a key conference, Mr. Singh highlighted the government’s acute awareness of the evolving nature of modern warfare. He specifically pointed out the growing importance of “non-contact warfare,” involving technologies like drones, and assured that India is actively preparing its defense strategies to adapt to these new dynamics.
He reiterated the critical need to strengthen India’s indigenous defense industries, recognizing their pivotal role in effectively countering the diverse security threats the nation faces.
“Our journey towards self-reliance in defense is evident in the numbers,” Singh stated. “In the 2021-22 fiscal year, our domestic capital acquisition stood at approximately ₹74,000 crore. By the close of 2024-25, this figure has impressively surged to around ₹1,20,000 crore.”
He further emphasized that “This isn’t merely a statistical increase; it signifies a profound shift in our nation’s strategic mindset towards defense.”
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses the “Opportunities in Defence Manufacturing in the Country” conference at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on October 7, 2025. (PTI Photo)
The Defence Minister underscored the Modi government’s robust policy framework over the past decade, specifically designed to foster indigenous design, development, and manufacturing of cutting-edge defense equipment within India.
He added that a cornerstone of these initiatives is the unwavering priority given to domestic sourcing when procuring military hardware, marking a decisive move away from external dependence.
“The Indian government is keenly attuned to the evolving landscape of modern warfare,” Singh asserted. “Today’s conflicts are undeniably technology-driven, a reality vividly demonstrated during ‘Operation Sindoor’.”
“During this operation, we witnessed a marked increase in the strategic importance of non-contact warfare elements, including advanced drones, sophisticated anti-drone systems, and comprehensive air-defense capabilities,” he elaborated.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the ‘Opportunities in Defence Manufacturing in the Country’ conference, flanked by (from left) Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, Chief of Army Staff Upendra Dwivedi, and Chief of Naval Staff Dinesh Tripathi, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on October 7, 2025. (PTI Photo)
Looking ahead, Mr. Singh articulated key objectives for the defense sector, integral to India’s broader vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
“Our primary goal is to achieve an unparalleled degree of self-reliance in critical defense capabilities,” he declared. “Secondly, we aim to transform India into a leading global exporter in the defense sector.”
“And thirdly, to propel India to the forefront of cutting-edge technological advancements, we must pioneer breakthroughs in emerging niche technologies,” he concluded.