Our Soil, Our Shield: Rajnath Singh Calls For Indigenous Defence Base, Says Must Stay Ready For Anything
Rajnath Singh described Operation Sindoor as a “case study for future preparedness.” Image courtesy: RNA
India’s defence doctrine is evolving from “imported assurance” to “indigenous confidence”, and May’s Operation Sindoor was another proof of the power of homegrown defence. The country’s self-reliance push in the sector received a major endorsement from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who credited Made-in-India systems for the success of Op Sindoor.
“The effective use of Made-in-India equipment by the Armed Forces during Operation Sindoor bolstered India’s reputation both regionally and internationally,” he said while addressing the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) Annual Session 2025 in New Delhi.
Making a case for the development for a stronger indigenous defence base, Singh highlighted the operational success of India-made systems like the Akash missile, BrahMos, and AkashTeer Air Defence Control System, describing it as a “moment of pride” for both the armed forces and the “industry warriors” who built them.
How Op Sindoor is a case study in Indian defence manufacturing?
Calling the operation a “case study for future preparedness,” defence minister Singh said it underlined the need for constant readiness based on India’s own industrial and technological strength. “Anything can happen at our borders, anywhere, at any time. Our preparedness must be based on our own foundation,” he emphasised.
Suggesting so, he urged industry stakeholders to view Operation Sindoor not just as a military success, but as proof of how indigenisation directly strengthens national security.
Apart from being a case study in indigenous defence manufacturing, Operation Sindoor has shown us that anything can happen at our borders, anywhere, at any time. Singh underscored that we need to be ready for a war-like situation, and our preparedness must be based on our own foundation.
Expectations from defence industry?
The Defence Minister called on the private sector to step up its role in defence manufacturing — moving beyond platform assembly to technology-driven production of subsystems, components, and maintenance chains. “We must ensure that ‘our soil, our shield’ becomes our first choice,” he said, urging industry leaders to dominate the supply and repair ecosystem.
He also stressed that effective technology transfer must empower domestic industries rather than perpetuate dependency.
How is the government fueling defence self-reliance?
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has built a level playing field for private participation and introduced a series of initiatives such as the Quantum Mission, Atal Innovation Mission, and National Research Foundation to deepen India’s innovation culture.
Rajnath Singh pointed out that India’s defence production has surged from Rs 46,000 crore in 2014 to Rs 1.51 lakh crore in 2025, with the private sector contributing Rs 33,000 crore. “Our defence exports, once below Rs 1,000 crore, now stand at around Rs 24,000 crore, and we aim to reach Rs 30,000 crore by March 2026,” he noted.
The launch of Defence Procurement Manual 2025 and the ongoing revision of Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 are part of efforts to streamline domestic procurement and boost indigenisation.
Rajnath Singh challenged the private sector to raise its contribution from 25% to 50% of domestic defence production within three years. He called for collaboration under platforms like iDEX and ADITI to develop end-to-end indigenous technologies, transforming India into a true defence manufacturing hub.
