Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted on Monday (October 27, 2025) that India must maintain a state of readiness for a “war-like situation.” His remarks came in the wake of a four-day military conflict with Pakistan in May, which underscored the unpredictable nature of events along the nation’s frontiers.
Addressing a gathering, Mr. Singh noted that while India mounted a “firm response” to Pakistan during ‘Operation Sindoor’, this incident should serve as a vital case study. It offers crucial lessons for shaping India’s future strategies in addressing national security challenges.
The Minister highlighted that the successful deployment of indigenously manufactured military equipment during the May 7-10 operation significantly enhanced India’s reputation both within the region and globally.
Mr. Singh also suggested that ‘Operation Sindoor’ brought the country to the brink of war. “Although we gave a firm response with a firm resolve and our forces are fully prepared to defend the country’s borders, continuous introspection is essential,” he stated.
“Operation Sindoor must be treated as a case study to learn from and guide our future actions. This event unequivocally demonstrated that anything can unfold on our borders, anywhere, at any moment. We must be prepared for a war-like scenario, and this preparedness must be rooted in our own capabilities,” he emphasized.
The Defence Minister underscored that current global uncertainties necessitate a thorough evaluation across all sectors, making ‘indigenization’ the sole viable approach to counter emerging threats.
“The existing world order is showing signs of fragility, and conflict zones are proliferating across many regions. Consequently, it has become imperative for India to recalibrate its security and strategic frameworks,” he explained.
Mr. Singh proudly noted that ‘Operation Sindoor’ showcased the formidable power of India’s indigenous systems, including the Akash missile, BrahMos, and the Akashteer air defence control system, among other domestically developed equipment and platforms.
He attributed the operation’s success not only to the valiant armed forces but also to the “industry warriors” who pioneered innovation, design, and manufacturing on the home front.
The Indian defence industry, he stressed, stands as a critical pillar of national defence, alongside the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Mr. Singh highlighted the government’s efforts to foster a level playing field, boosting defence manufacturing and strengthening the domestic ecosystem. He urged the industry to seize this unparalleled opportunity.
“Our goal is not merely to assemble defence equipment in the country, but to establish a robust manufacturing base that embodies the spirit of ‘Made in India, Made for the World’,” he affirmed.
“Numerous initiatives, such as the Quantum Mission, Atal Innovation Mission, and the National Research Foundation, have been launched to cultivate a culture of innovation and research & development. Our industry must strive to achieve what has not yet been accomplished within the country,” he added.
The Defence Minister recalled that prior to 2014, India was heavily reliant on imports for its security requirements. Today, however, the nation is actively manufacturing its own defence equipment.
“Our defence production, which stood at approximately ₹46,000 crore in 2014, has now surged to a record ₹1.51 lakh crore, with the private sector contributing ₹33,000 crore,” he revealed.
“Defence exports, which were less than ₹1,000 crore a decade ago, have now reached a record of approximately ₹24,000 crore. I am confident that these exports will hit ₹30,000 crore by March 2026,” he further predicted.
To accelerate indigenization, Mr. Singh encouraged the industry to focus on dominating supply chains by indigenously manufacturing individual subsystems and components, rather than just complete platforms.
He pointed out that purchasing major equipment from abroad strains India’s resources due to ongoing maintenance and life-cycle costs.
“Since a platform comprises numerous components and inputs, domestic manufacturing of these subsystems can significantly boost our indigenous content. We must ensure that ‘our soil, our shield’ becomes our primary choice,” he declared.
The Defence Minister concluded by stating that the objective extends beyond mere assembly in India; it involves developing technology-driven manufacturing within the nation. “We must ensure that any technology transfer is effective and truly empowers our indigenous industries,” he emphasized.