Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday emphasised that defence and security are the collective responsibility of the entire nation, urging states and union territories to become active partners in strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. Speaking at the inauguration of the National Conference on “Opportunities of Defence Manufacturing in the Country” at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, he said, “Strengthening the defence sector is not just the duty of one institution or government but the shared resolve of all Indians.”
The Defence Minister underlined that self-reliance in defence is not merely about production or economic gains, but about ensuring strategic autonomy. “It is directly linked to our sovereignty,” he asserted, recalling the coordination among state governments during Operation Sindoor as an example of effective collaboration.
Highlighting the remarkable growth of India’s defence industry, Singh said that the country’s defence production has risen from ₹46,000 crore in 2014 to over ₹1.5 lakh crore in 2025 – the highest ever. He noted that the private sector now contributes more than ₹33,000 crore, reflecting its increasing role in the Aatmanirbharta mission.
Defence exports have also surged from less than ₹1,000 crore in 2014 to a record ₹23,500 crore in 2025. “This journey from being one of the world’s largest importers to becoming a trusted exporter of defence systems is a testament to our national resolve,” he said.
Looking ahead, the government aims to achieve defence manufacturing worth ₹3 lakh crore and exports worth ₹50,000 crore by 2029. “Self-reliance in defence is not just about Make in India or export numbers; it’s about the confidence that in times of crisis, we won’t depend on anyone else,” Singh emphasised.
During the event, the Defence Minister released a Compendium of State Policies on Defence and Aerospace Manufacturing, which consolidates state-level policies and best practices across all States and Union Territories. He said the document will serve as a guiding framework for policy alignment and collaboration between the Centre and States, fostering both competition and cooperation to attract defence investments.
Singh detailed a series of policy reforms aimed at promoting ease of doing business, including simplified quality assurance procedures through self-certification, a Centralised Defence Testing Portal, and the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) for setting up modern testing centres. He added that frameworks such as the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025, and Defence Offsets Policy are being continuously refined to encourage innovation and investment.
Emphasising the growing role of emerging technologies in modern warfare, Singh said, “Modern warfare is not only based on weapons but also on frontier technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, Quantum Computing, Cyber, and Space Technology.” He called for greater intellectual investment in these areas to enhance India’s defence capabilities.
The Defence Minister also launched two major digital initiatives – the revamped Defence Exim Portal and the SRIJAN-DEEP (Defence Establishments and Entrepreneurs Platform). The Exim portal will streamline defence export and import authorisations, enhance transparency, and simplify processes, while SRIJAN-DEEP will serve as a digital directory of Indian defence industries, enabling faster decision-making and better collaboration between industry and defence establishments.
He also noted efforts to support MSMEs and start-ups through automated cash management tools and simplified payment systems to ease liquidity constraints.
Singh highlighted initiatives to promote inclusivity and capacity building, including allocating 25% of the Defence R&D budget to industry, MSMEs, start-ups, and academia; enhancing the Border Roads Organisation’s budget; and expanding the number of Sainik Schools to 133 under a partnership model. He also underscored the importance of women’s increased participation in the Armed Forces through the Nari Shakti initiative.
Calling for closer coordination with States on defence land management, the Defence Minister noted that an online portal has been launched to process proposals related to public utility projects on defence land efficiently. “About 1.8 million acres of defence land are spread across various States. Coordinated management is vital to prevent disputes and ensure security,” he said.
Organised by the Department of Defence Production (DDP), the conference aimed to raise awareness among states and union territories about various central initiatives promoting defence manufacturing. The event also featured the release of the iDEX Coffee Table Book: Shared Horizons of Innovation, highlighting the success stories of start-ups, MSMEs, and innovators contributing to India’s defence ecosystem.
Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a Viksit Bharat through a strong, self-reliant defence sector. He said, “Together, we can transform India into a global hub of defence innovation, manufacturing, and export.”
Senior defence officials, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, the three service chiefs, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat, and representatives from central and state governments, attended the event.