Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday stressed the importance of self-reliance and jointness in securing India’s strategic autonomy and preparing the country for future security challenges.
Addressing the ‘Kalam & Kavach 3.0’ defence strategic dialogue through a video message at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, the Defence Minister said national strength would increasingly depend on how effectively the armed forces, research laboratories and defence industries work together.
“A nation’s strength will increasingly depend on how quickly its defence forces, laboratories and industries think and act as one,” he said.
Rajnath Singh said future battlefields would reward nations capable of reducing the time between innovation, prototype development and operational deployment.
He noted that evolving geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, supply-chain disruptions and hybrid warfare have made preparedness, resilience and innovation essential for national security.
The Defence Minister described self-reliance in defence manufacturing as both an economic and strategic necessity, stating that excessive dependence on foreign suppliers for critical defence capabilities leaves nations vulnerable during crises.
“We must design, develop, produce, maintain and upgrade key systems within our own national ecosystem. That is how we will secure our strategic autonomy,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of jointness among the armed forces, Rajnath Singh said modern warfare requires seamless coordination across land, sea, air, cyber and space domains.
He also stressed closer collaboration among defence laboratories, industries, start-ups, policymakers and military institutions.
Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, while delivering the inaugural address, said emerging security threats require preparedness backed by foresight and technological advancement.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, he described it as a defining example of New India’s defence capabilities and highlighted the role of indigenous systems, rapid response and coordination among the armed forces.
He said the operation reflected India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and its resolve to hold supporters of terrorism accountable.
Sanjay Seth also highlighted the growth of India’s defence sector, stating that defence exports have risen from Rs 686 crore a decade ago to a record Rs 38,424 crore currently.
He added that annual defence production reached an all-time high of Rs 1.54 lakh crore during the financial year 2025-26.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s target of achieving Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports and Rs 3 lakh crore in defence production by 2029-30.
Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee, Ashutosh Dixit, also addressed the event and emphasised the importance of indigenous innovation and advanced technologies in strengthening India’s strategic capabilities.
The conclave, themed “Taking JAI Forward With I²”, focused on issues related to artificial intelligence-enabled warfare, autonomous systems, hypersonic technologies, quantum-enabled C4ISR systems, aerospace advancements and defence manufacturing.
