Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that India aims to become a global hub for drone technology, which would not only benefit the Indian economy but also significantly contribute to the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat programs.
Singh was speaking at the Delhi Defence Dialogue organized on the theme “Adaptive Defence: Navigating the Changing Landscape of Modern Warfare” at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.
The defence minister noted that the government has launched several initiatives to position India as the world’s leading drone hub. “We are already working to improve research and development through reliable certification mechanisms and the creation of Indian intellectual property in this sector. Additionally, we have introduced incentives for innovation through the iDEX and ADITI schemes,” he said.
“Drones and swarm technologies are fundamentally altering the means and methods of warfare. These advancements have transformed our post-World War II understanding of warfare. Traditional concepts of warfare across all three dimensions—land, air, and water—are rapidly evolving, with these dimensions increasingly seen as interconnected due to drone and swarm technology interventions,” he added.
On the topic of increasing defence exports, the Defence Minister stated, “Our efforts are already yielding results in the growing exports of defence items from India. Currently, India exports defence items to over 100 countries, with the top three destinations in 2023-24 being the USA, France, and Armenia. We aim to reach the target of Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029.”
Singh also highlighted India’s commitment to emerging technologies in cyberspace and artificial intelligence. “The AI framework and guidelines have already been issued for DRDO projects and programs. DRDO’s system laboratories have AI technology groups working to incorporate AI features across products. There is also an AI roadmap for each Defence Public Sector Undertaking,” he added.
The minister emphasized that the Government of India is committed to employing adaptive defence strategies to counter the threat of information warfare against national security.
The Delhi Defence Dialogue, a flagship platform of MP-IDSA, addresses the multifaceted challenges of defence and security in India. As the landscape of warfare grows increasingly complex, the platform aims to discuss international security and defence strategies, with a focus on India’s defence needs. The dialogue fosters collaboration among defence experts, policymakers, and military leaders, addressing both immediate threats and future challenges as India navigates a complex geopolitical landscape.