Highlighting the importance of self-reliance in the defence sector and the need to transform India into a global arms powerhouse, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he is confident of achieving the Rs 3 lakh crore defence manufacturing target and Rs 50,000 crore exports target by 2029.
Addressing students of Symbiosis Skills and Professional University during their convocation ceremony in Pune, Singh reiterated that during Operation Sindoor, Indian armed forces achieved the set objectives using a large amount of Made-in-India equipment.
Pointing out that since Independence, India has always relied on foreign weapon systems, he claimed that India had become accustomed to purchasing weapons as the country lacked the political will to manufacture here and did not have laws that promoted defence manufacturing.
"It is our resolve that India manufactures indigenous weapons for its soldiers. The entire world witnessed the bravery of our soldiers during Operation Sindoor. They achieved the set objectives using a large amount of Made-in-India equipment,” Singh said.
The minister stated that Operation Sindoor is a glowing testimony to India’s growing indigenous prowess, which is the result of the government’s "relentless efforts to create a self-reliant defence manufacturing ecosystem within the country.”
Acknowledging the importance of the private sector in making India a defence manufacturing hub, the minister said in the last 10 years, annual defence production has increased from Rs 46,000 crore to a record Rs 1.5 lakh crore, of which nearly Rs 33,000 crore has been contributed by the private sector.
As part of the event, the School of Defence and Aerospace Technology was inaugurated by the defence minister and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the defence ministry stated in a release.