Rs 46000 Crore To Rs 1.5 Lakh Crore: Rajnath Singh On How Op Sindoor Showcased India’s Defence Self-Reliance
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has asserted that India’s rapid move toward indigenous defence production is no longer aspirational, but operationally proven. Speaking at the convocation of Symbiosis Skills and Professional University in Pune, he cited Operation Sindoor as a landmark demonstration of India’s growing self-reliance in defence.
India’s retaliatory mission conducted in May, in which it struck down terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK, showcased the effectiveness of locally made platforms and systems in real combat scenarios. “They achieved the set objectives using large amounts of Made-in-India equipment,” Rajnath Singh said.
With this, the defence minister emphasised that the operation stands as “a glowing testimony to India’s growing indigenous prowess.” The success, he added, reflects the government’s persistent push to build a robust domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.
What has changed in India’s defence manufacturing approach?
Singh said that for decades, India remained dependent on foreign suppliers due to a lack of political will and supportive laws. The shift, he explained, began under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when the government launched a decisive campaign for ‘Atmanirbharta in Defence’.
“We pledged to transform the defence sector because, since independence, we had been heavily dependent on other countries for weapons,” he told the audience on Thursday (October 16, 2025). Defence minister Singh highlighted that systemic reforms, policy clarity, and intent have enabled India to actively design, develop and deploy its own defence systems.
How much has domestic defence production grown?
The Defence Minister underlined the scale of progress over the past decade, sharing that the annual defence production has shot up from Rs 46,000 crore to Rs 1.5 lakh crore, with the private sector’s contribution now standing at Rs 33,000 crore. The target now is Rs 3 lakh crore in production and Rs 50,000 crore in exports by 2029, Singh underlined.
This growth in indigenous defence manufacturing, he noted, is being driven by indigenous innovation, MSME participation, and youth-led defence tech startups.
What role does youth play in defence self-reliance?
Rajnath Singh called on students to move beyond degrees and actively contribute to nation-building. “True success lies not merely in acquiring degrees but in applying knowledge meaningfully for the benefit of society,” he said, stressing that India needs problem-solvers, not just professionals.
With this, the defence minister graduates to enter sectors like defence innovation, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. Calling skill a “bridge between learning and doing,” he said the future workforce must align itself with applied technologies and industry needs.
He also underscored the importance of adapting to technologies like Artificial Intelligence, clarifying that “AI will not replace humans, but those who use AI will replace those who don’t.”
What strategic vision is driving this transformation?
With India targeting developed nation status by 2047, Rajnath Singh urged students to see themselves as contributors to national transformation. “The next 20-25 years won’t just shape your careers, but also the destiny of the nation,” he said.
He added that initiatives like the newly inaugurated School of Defence and Aerospace Technology, launched at the event along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, will serve as talent and innovation incubators.
India’s defence narrative is rapidly shifting now with the country transforming from being a buyer to becoming a builder, from dependence to dominance. Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh suggested, is only the beginning of this new chapter in military self-reliance.
