Rajnas says

Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. |Photo source: PTI

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday (April 17, 2025) that India should focus not only on localization, innovation and global leadership, not only to ensure its borders ensure its borders, but also position itself as a key player in the international defense ecosystem.

In One week“Today, while India’s defense sector is moving towards a path of self-reliance, it is also ready to play a very important role in resilience of global supply chains,” Mr Singh said. “This day is not only that India will become not only a developed country, but our military power will also be number one in the world.”

Mr. Singh outlines the goal of reducing import dependence by establishing a defense industrial complex that meets domestic demand and increases export potential. He noted that India currently exports defense products to about 100 countries, and he sets his current export target at Rs 3,000,000 crore and Rs 5,000 crore by 2029.

Despite highlighting technological advances in the field of defense, the minister acknowledged that manufacturing of Aero engines remains a major challenge. He noted that progress on the Indigenous Kaveri Engine project developed for aircraft and unmanned fighter jets (UCAVS), as well as ongoing discussions with global companies such as Safran, General Electric and Rolls-Royce, aims to develop domestic capabilities in the field.

Singh explained that the push for the Ministry of Defense manufacturing is the dual purpose of ensuring national security and strategic autonomy, while protecting the industry from disruptions to global supply chains. “Our defense capabilities are like a reliable deterrent, maintaining peace and tranquility. Only when we stay strong is possible,” he said.

Speaking about the evolving nature of the war, Mr. Singh warned that future conflicts could be more violent and unpredictable. He stressed the growing importance of the emergence of networks and space as new battlefields, as well as the increasing importance of global narrative and perceptual warfare.

Mr Singh detailed the ongoing localization drivers, referring to five active localization lists (PILS) issued by the Armed Forces and five more items from the Defence Public Sector Enterprises (DPSUS), which retains items specific to domestic sources. He said the service list includes 509 major equipment, weapon systems and platforms, while the DPSU list covers 5,012 projects including strategic line replacement units, subsystems, spare parts, spare parts and components.

The minister stressed the growth in defence production has increased from Rs 4,000 crore in 2014 to Rs 1.27 crore at present. He added: “This year, defence production should exceed Rs 1.6 crore and our goal is to produce defence equipment worth Rs 3 lakh in 2029.”