NEW DELHI: “Defence and security are the collective responsibility of the entire nation and strengthening the defence sector is not just the duty of one institution or government but the shared resolve of all Indians,” stated Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the inauguration of the National Conference at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Under the event on the theme ‘Opportunities of Defence Manufacturing in the Country’, Defence Minister called upon States and Union Territories to become active partners in building a robust, globally competitive defence manufacturing ecosystem.

Rajnath Singh asserted that Self-reliance in defence is not just a matter of production or economy for us, it is first & foremost a matter of the strategic autonomy and is directly linked to the sovereignty. He highlighted that during Operation Sindoor, when the country needed a mock drill, all state governments and their agencies actively participated. “All this is proof that when we all work together towards a goal, no challenge is too great,” he added.

Defence Minister highlighted the unprecedented growth of India’s defence manufacturing sector over the past decade underscoring that India’s defence production, which was over Rs. 46,000 crore in 2014, has now increased highest ever to over Rs. 1.5 lakh crore in 2025. He added that over Rs. 33,000 crore comes from the private sector, a clear indication that industry has become an equal stakeholder in the Aatmanirbharta mission.

Further, he stated that India’s defence exports have risen from less than Rs. 1,000 crore in 2014 to a record Rs. 23,500 crore in 2025. “This remarkable journey from being one of the world’s largest importers of defence equipment to becoming a trusted exporter of defence systems is a testament to our national resolve,” he underlined.

Reaffirming the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Rajnath Singh stated that India aims to achieve defence manufacturing worth Rs. 3 lakh crore and defence exports worth Rs. 50,000 crore by 2029. Defence Minister stated that self-reliance in the defence sector, it's not just about Make in India or export figures, it’s about the confidence that, in times of crisis, we won't be dependent on anyone else for our defence. “It's about the self-confidence that the weapons our Armed Forces use are made on our own soil, created with the talent of our own scientists and engineers,” he added.

Defence Minister released a Compendium of State Policies on Defence and Aerospace Manufacturing, which consolidates policies and best practices adopted by various States and Union Territories. Rajnath Singh termed the document an important step towards greater policy alignment and coordination between the Centre and the States.

“This compendium will serve as a guiding document for industry and innovators. I urge all States and UTs to study it in depth, understand its strengths, and implement the best practices to strengthen the defence industrial base,” he said, adding that the document would foster competition as well as collaboration among States to attract defence investments.

Rajnath Singh elaborated on the wide-ranging reforms undertaken to promote Ease of Doing Business in the defence sector including simplified Quality Assurance timelines through self-certification, a Centralised Defence Testing Portal providing nationwide access to testing facilities, and the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) which supports the creation of modern testing and certification centres with Government assistance.

He stated that the Ministry is continuously refining frameworks such as the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025, Defence Offsets Policy, and Defence Investor Cell to encourage investment, technology absorption, and innovation. He added that the Defence Ministry’s reforms are not merely regulatory measures but are enablers of opportunity.

“Modern warfare is not only based on weapons, but the influence of frontier technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, Quantum Computing, Cyber and Space Technology. We will have to make intellectual investment in frontier technology, much more than physical investment,” underlined Defence Minister. He added that the nation must combine traditional strength with modern innovation to build a new India that designs, develops and produces world-class defence systems.

Highlighting the Ministry’s digital initiatives, Rajnath Singh stated the SRIJAN-DEEP (Defence Establishments and Entrepreneurs Platform) portal has been developed as a digital repository mapping the expertise of Indian defence industries and their products. He also launched the Defence Exim Portal, a single-window platform to streamline authorisations related to defence exports and imports.

Addressing the issue of liquidity and working capital for MSMEs and start-ups, Rajnath Singh said the Ministry is developing automated cash management tools and simplifying bill processing & payment systems to support industries.

Defence Minister highlighted that the Ministry’s reforms extend beyond manufacturing to cover social, infrastructural, and educational aspects. He spoke about the Nari Shakti initiative that is increasing women’s representation in the Armed Forces, the allocation of 25% of the Defence R&D budget for industry, MSMEs, start-ups & academia, and the expansion of the Border Roads Organisation’s budget to enhance border infrastructure. He also mentioned the approval of 100 new Sainik Schools under a partnership model, in addition to the 33 existing government-run schools, describing them as institutions that “build discipline, leadership, and patriotism from a young age.”

Rajnath Singh highlighted that the government has undertaken several policy reforms in the defence sector over the last 10-11 years. He stated that increasing indigenous content in defence production and accelerating defence investment have been at the center of these efforts. “Whether it's the iDEX initiative, the establishment of defence corridors, or promoting FDI in defence manufacturing, all these steps have been taken in this direction,” he added.

Defence Minister called for closer coordination between the Centre and the States on matters related to defence land. He highlighted that an online portal has been launched to facilitate State proposals for public utility projects on defence land. He urged States to utilise the platform efficiently and expedite the provision of equivalent land in exchange where required. Rajnath Singh added that approximately 1.8 million acres of defence land are located across various States, making coordinated management essential to prevent local disputes and ensure security.