New Delhi, 29 May 2025 — India’s defence production has reached an all-time high of ₹1,46,000 crore, with defence exports crossing a record ₹24,000 crore, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh announced at the inaugural plenary of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit in New Delhi today.
Highlighting the pivotal role of the Make-in-India initiative during Operation Sindoor, Shri Rajnath Singh underscored the importance of indigenous defence capabilities in enabling India’s effective military response against terrorism in Pakistan and PoK. “The Indian Armed Forces would not have been able to take such decisive action without the strength of domestic defence systems,” he said.
He elaborated on the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, describing its Execution Model as a bold step that will elevate India’s aerospace sector. Under this project, five prototypes of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft will be developed, followed by series production. The programme will also open avenues for private sector participation alongside public sector units, marking a historic collaboration under the Make-in-India framework.
Raksha Mantri emphasized that India’s approach to terrorism has been redefined, with a firm message that terrorism is no longer a cost-effective strategy for Pakistan. He reiterated India’s stance that PoK is an integral part of the country and expressed confidence that the people of PoK, separated geographically and politically, would eventually reunite with India.
“We have prioritized policy clarity, indigenization, economic resilience, and strategic autonomy,” Shri Rajnath Singh said, calling upon industry players to align their goals with national interests. “If securing company interests is your karma, safeguarding national interests is your dharma.”
The Raksha Mantri also highlighted India’s transformation into the world’s fourth-largest economy under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership. He pointed out that India is now recognized globally not just as a consumer but as a producer and exporter of advanced defence technologies. “When the world approaches us for high-end defence systems, it is a mark of respect for our capabilities,” he said.
Providing statistics to underscore the defence sector’s growth, Shri Rajnath Singh noted that defence production has surged from approximately ₹43,000 crore a decade ago to ₹1,46,000 crore today, with private sector contributions exceeding ₹32,000 crore. Defence exports have also skyrocketed from ₹600-700 crore ten years back to ₹24,000 crore currently. Over 16,000 MSMEs are now integral to the defence supply chain, fueling self-reliance and generating employment for lakhs.
The minister also spoke about India’s strides in cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Defence, Unmanned Systems, and Space-Based Security. “India is gearing up for New Age Warfare Technology and has the potential to become a global hub for engineering, precision manufacturing, and future technologies,” he added.
Concluding, Shri Rajnath Singh stressed the importance of government-industry synergy in realizing India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. “A nation’s strength is measured not only by economic indices but also by the confidence it inspires globally and among its citizens. Trust endures when a country can protect its geopolitical interests and ensure the safety of its people,” he said.
The event was attended by top defence officials including Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat, Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, along with CII President Shri Sanjiv Puri and industry leader
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