Self-Reliance In Defense: Self-reliance only way to stay relevant in era of global uncertainty: Rajnath Singh | India News
New Delhi/Kolkata: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday that “self-reliance was the only way to stay relevant and prepared in the current era of uncertainty” and asserted that the global situation has led to “reconfiguration of supply chains, formation of new equations and continued growth in maritime operations”, reaffirming the government’s commitment to self-reliance in each area.“The Strait of Hormuz or the entire Persian Gulf region is very important for global energy security. When there is a disturbance in the region, it directly affects the supply of oil and gas. Moreover, we are witnessing supply chain disruptions in other sectors as well. This uncertainty has a direct impact on the economy and global trade. The global situation that creates an even more alarming situation is alarming now. The abnormal is becoming the new normal,” he said.Inaugurating the Defense and Maritime Dialogue ‘Sagar Sankalp – Reclaiming India’s Maritime Glory’ in Kolkata, Singh said, “The government’s efforts towards self-reliance in the defense sector are yielding positive results as domestic defense production crossed the record figure of Rs 1.5 lakh crore in 2024-2024 with high exports of Rs 24,000 crore.” He said defense exports were poised to reach Rs 29,000 crore by April 2026 and the government had set a target of Rs 50,000 crore in defense equipment exports by fiscal year 2029-2030.“Old ideas, old global systems and old perceptions are rapidly changing. These are the uncertainties of our understanding. The current situation in West Asia is a prime example. What is happening there is quite unusual. It is difficult to make definitive comments about the future course of events in West Asia or our neighboring regions,” he said.Citing defense public sector initiatives as a key pillar of the government’s vision of self-reliance, he said that in the shipbuilding sector, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited and other shipyards have also been given special focus to strengthen and future-proof the domestic industrial ecosystem. “The aim is to make the ships into technology hubs, not just production units,” he said.Describing “technological mobility” as another important factor in today’s world, the minister said technology is bringing unprecedented changes in every sphere of life and it is more clearly visible in the defense sector. He highlighted that high-end and precision technology is being used in the defense sector, and the government aims to achieve ‘self-reliance’ in defense technology to be ready for emerging and future challenges. He acknowledged that 25% of defense platforms/equipment and accessories produced in the country are produced by private industries and expressed confidence that this segment would soon increase to 50% of total defense production by value.
