India Defence News – At a Defence Conclave in New Delhi on April 17, 2025, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh articulated a bold vision for India’s future, asserting that the nation is on track to become a developed country and the world’s leading military power.
He emphasized India’s strides toward self-reliance in defence, highlighting its potential to bolster global supply chains while ensuring peace through strength. “India’s defence capabilities serve as a credible deterrent to maintain peace and tranquility—peace is only possible when we are strong,” Singh stated, underscoring the strategic importance of a robust military.
Singh detailed the government’s focus on indigenization under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, aiming to shift India from an import-dependent nation to a self-sufficient defence industrial hub. “Our defence sector is advancing on the path of self-reliance and is poised to play a key role in making global supply chains more resilient,” he said.
The Make in India initiative, he added, not only strengthens domestic production but also insulates global defence manufacturing from supply chain disruptions.
India’s defence production has surged from Rs 40,000 crore in 2014 to over Rs 1.27 lakh crore today, with a target of Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029.
The minister highlighted significant reforms, including the corporatization of the 200-year-old Ordnance Factories, now profit-making entities, and the release of indigenization lists comprising 509 items for the Indian Armed Forces and 5,012 for Defence Public Sector Undertakings.
Defence exports have also soared from Rs 686 crore in 2013–14 to Rs 23,622 crore in 2024–25, with a goal of Rs 50,000 crore by 2029. Singh noted that 75% of the defence budget is now reserved for domestic procurement, reflecting a strong push for self-reliance.
Raksha Mantri celebrated the success of Indian shipbuilding, with 97% of Navy and Coast Guard ships now constructed domestically, and exports to nations like Mauritius and Vietnam.
Addressing modern warfare challenges, Singh pointed to the evolving nature of conflicts, with cyber and space domains emerging as new battlegrounds alongside narrative wars.
To counter these, the Ministry of Defence has declared 2025 the ‘Year of Reforms,’ focusing on holistic capacity building. Initiatives like iDEX, iDEX Prime, and ADITI are fostering innovation, with financial support for startups reaching up to Rs 25 crore, and projects worth over Rs 2,400 crore approved for MSMEs.
Singh also showcased India’s advancements in strategic capabilities, including missile technology, submarines, aircraft carriers, AI, drones, and cyber defence, while acknowledging challenges in aero-engine manufacturing.
The conclave, attended by senior officials and former military leaders, underscored India’s ambition to lead globally while securing its strategic autonomy.