India is on a transformative path to establish itself as a developed nation and the foremost military power globally, according to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Speaking at the Defence Conclave in New Delhi on April 17, 2025, Singh articulated an ambitious roadmap focused on self-reliance, innovation, and strategic leadership in the defence sector, bolstered by the government’s commitment to revamping its military capabilities and establishing India as a significant contributor to global stability.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh emphasized the revival of the defence sector as a top priority. One of the cornerstone strategies involves reducing India’s dependency on defence imports, a long-standing practice that the government is determined to shift towards creating a self-sufficient domestic defence industrial complex. This includes not only meeting India’s security needs but also amplifying defence exports to bolster the nation’s economy and international standing. Singh underscored the role of the Make in India initiative, which is driving substantial progress in domestic defence production and positioning India as a reliable contributor to global supply chains, resilient against geopolitical shocks.
Highlighting India’s growing defence capabilities, Singh described the nation’s arsenal as a means to maintain peace and tranquillity rather than provoke conflict. “Our defence capabilities are like a credible deterrence, to maintain peace and tranquillity. Peace is possible only when we remain strong,” he said. In light of evolving warfare dynamics, he noted that future conflicts are likely to be more violent and unpredictable, with emerging battlefields in cyber and space domains as well as global struggles in narrative and perception. To address these challenges, the Ministry of Defence has declared 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms,’ focusing on holistic capacity building and continued structural reforms.
Among these reforms, Singh cited the corporatization of India’s 200-year-old ordnance factories as a groundbreaking achievement. Transforming these entities into profit-making units reflects a paradigm shift in the country’s defence manufacturing capabilities. He further elaborated on the release of indigenization lists by the armed forces and defence public sector units (DPSUs), which include 509 items for armed services and 5,012 for DPSUs, ranging from weapon systems to critical components and sub-systems. The government’s policies aim to integrate these into domestic production lines and enhance India’s strategic autonomy.
The financial commitment to indigenous defence production has surged, with 75 percent of the defence budget reserved for procurement from domestic companies. Defence production has witnessed exponential growth, rising from ₹400 billion in 2014 to ₹1.27 trillion today, and is projected to cross ₹1.6 trillion this fiscal year. The long-term target is set at ₹3 trillion by 2029. Similarly, defence exports have soared from ₹6.86 billion in 2013–14 to ₹236.22 billion in 2024–25, and are expected to reach ₹300 billion this year. By 2029, the government aims to achieve ₹500 billion in defence exports, with products being shipped to approximately 100 countries.
The government’s push for innovation is evident in its initiatives to support start-ups and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Programs like iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence), iDEX Prime, and the ADITI scheme provide financial backing for technology development, ranging from ₹1.5 crore to ₹25 crore, to foster cutting-edge solutions. Defence contracts worth ₹24 billion have already been awarded to start-ups and MSMEs, alongside technology development projects valued at over ₹15 billion.
India’s strategic capabilities now rival those of developed nations in critical domains including missile systems like Agni and BrahMos, advanced submarines such as INS Arihant, aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant, and emerging technologies in artificial intelligence, drones, cyber defence, and hypersonic systems. Despite challenges in aero-engine manufacturing, progress under the Kaveri engine project and ongoing collaborations with global players like Safran, GE, and Rolls Royce offer promising prospects.
In shipbuilding, India’s achievements are impressive, with over 97 percent of warships for the Navy and Coast Guard now built in domestic shipyards. These include exports to friendly nations such as Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Maldives.
The conclave witnessed participation from senior defence officials and dignitaries, including former Chiefs of Army, Naval, and Air Staff, Secretary of Defence Production Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary of Defence Research and Development Samir V Kamat, and former Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra. Their presence underscored the collaborative efforts driving India’s defence aspirations forward.
As Rajnath Singh declared, India is not just securing its borders but redefining its role on the global stage, embodying the vision of a strong, self-reliant, and future-ready nation. Through unparalleled reforms, robust innovation, and strategic investments, India is poised to emerge as a leader in global defence and a catalyst for international peace and stability.
