Great Indian Weapon Revival: Rajnath Singh’s defense plan includes self-reliance, speed and CR exports of Rs 3 lakh
“This year, defence production should exceed Rs 1.6 crore, and our goal is to produce defence equipment worth Rs 3 lakh in 2029,” he said.
The leap of this plan is not just numbers. Establishing a strong domestic military industrial base, cutting reliance on foreign suppliers, and positioning India as a global defense hub is part of a broader vision.
“Credited deterrence, not provocation”
Singh stressed that India’s growing military capabilities are derived from deterrence and stability, not confrontation.
“Our defense capabilities are like a reliable deterrent, maintaining peace and tranquility. Only when we stay strong is possible,” he said.
He also highlighted India’s larger national vision. “This day is not only that India will not only become a developed country, but our military power will also be ranked No. 1 in the world,” Singh declared.
Export targets are consistent with domestic promotion
India’s defense exports have grown steadily over the past decade, aiming for another major boost. The government expects that they will reach Rs 3,000 crore by 2025 and grow to Rs 5 billion by 2029. “Our defence exports will reach Rs 30 billion this year and Rs 50 billion by 2029,” Singh said.
The aim is to strengthen India’s position in the global defense supply chain by focusing on flexibility, innovation and strategic partnerships.
Rebuild from within
Singh pointed out that a key part of India’s military reform is the transformation of the ordnance factory board, one of the oldest institutions in India’s defense.
“Today, the new form of the ordnance factory is doing well and has become a profitable unit. I believe changing the structure that has been over 200 years old is a big reform of this century,” he said.
This reorganization, while bold, is crucial. Purpose: Inject efficiency, transparency and profitability into the legacy system, which has long been regarded as dull and outdated.
Indigenization lists future
Singh focuses on the key moves of the Ministry of Defense: Armed Forces and Defence Public Sector Enterprises (DPSUS) release five active indigenization lists. These overview projects must now be made in-house in India based on a phased schedule.
“The total number of defense equipment, weapon systems and platforms included in the service list is 509. These equipment will now be produced in India,” he said.
“Again, the total number of items included in the DPSU list is 5,012, which includes strategic line replacement units, subsystems, spare parts and components,” Singh added.
This push reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to the “Made in India” initiative, especially in strategic sectors such as defense.
Three quarter budget reserved for Indian companies
In a significant policy shift, the government has decided to retain 75% of the defense capital procurement budget for domestic companies.
The move is designed to support local defense companies and protect India’s strategic interests from volatile global supply chains.
“Now, while India’s defense sector is moving towards a path to self-reliance, it is also ready to play a very important role in making global supply chains resilient,” Singh said.
Facing the Future: War looks different
Singh warned the evolving nature of the war, which he said will become more violent, unpredictable and multidimensional in the coming years.
He said the network and space are developing rapidly as the new Battlefield. At the same time, countries are also involved in constant perceptual and narrative wars, which makes the modern battlefield even more complex.
To address these challenges, Singh said the government’s approach includes overall capacity building and ongoing reform.
The Modi government’s strategic transformation
Singh attributes Narendra Modi’s prime minister to the renewed focus of the Indian defense department.
Under this leadership, the mindset has undergone a fundamental shift, from seeing India as a passive buyer to becoming an active producer, he said.
“The revival and strengthening of the defense sector is one of the government’s biggest priorities,” Singh said. “The government’s primary challenge is to change the mindset that India will simply import to meet its defense needs.”
The result is a reimagined and re-inspired defense sector designed to ensure security abroad.
