New Delhi, August 30(HS): In a decisive address at the Defence Conclave themed “Warfare in the 21st Century,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that self-reliance in defence is not a mere choice but an imperative for India's survival and progress amid rising global instabilities like terrorism, pandemics, and regional conflicts. Highlighting India’s strategic autonomy and indigenous strengths demonstrated during the recent Operation Sindoor, he laid out a transformative roadmap for India’s defence future, anchored by ambitious projects like the indigenous Sudarshan Chakra Mission and aero-engine development.

Rajnath Singh described Operation Sindoor—the swift and precise military strikes against terrorist infrastructure across the border—as more than a short conflict; it was the outcome of years of rigorous strategic preparation, indigenous innovation, and coordinated defence readiness. The operation showcased India’s technological edge and self-reliant capacity, with all weapon systems deployed being domestically developed or assembled, underscoring India’s emergence as a decisive military power in the region. The Defence Minister highlighted that the success revealed India’s shift from dependence on foreign systems to a robust indigenous arsenal, enabled by the synergy of public and private sectors, startups, and entrepreneurs.

The Defence Minister heralded the launch of the Sudarshan Chakra Mission as a game-changing initiative aimed at establishing an integrated, multi-layered aerial defence shield to secure critical national infrastructure within the next decade. This system, tested successfully on August 23 with a tri-target strike, blends offensive and defensive technologies to provide comprehensive aerial protection. Inspired by the mythological Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Krishna, this mission embodies India's futuristic vision to technologically outmatch any enemy assault.

Further milestones include the commissioning of stealth frigates INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri, marking India's complete warship construction at home and reinforcing naval strength in the Indian Ocean. The Raksha Mantri also announced nearing operational phases on an indigenous aero-engine project, long a challenge for the country, signaling a significant leap in aerospace self-reliance.

Emphasizing the broader economic impact, Rajnath Singh noted the defence sector as a key growth engine with domestic production exceeding Rs 1.5 lakh crore, 25% contributed by the private sector. Defence exports have surged from less than Rs 700 crore in 2014 to nearly Rs 24,000 crore in 2025, reflecting India’s transition from an importer to a global exporter of defence systems.

He lauded the creation of Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu as innovation hubs driving indigenisation and manufacturing growth, with plans for expansion. The Raksha Mantri underlined reforms simplifying licensing, increasing foreign direct investment caps to 74%, and promoting startups through the iDEX platform, inviting Indian youth to contribute to defence innovation.

Addressing international and domestic audiences, Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s policy of having no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests, firmly putting the welfare of its people, farmers, and small businesses at the forefront. He stressed that global pressures only strengthen India’s resolve and that Aatmanirbhar Bharat is the sustainable path to securing the nation's sovereignty and progress in an uncertain century marked by technological shifts in AI, quantum computing, and space science.

In closing, the Defence Minister asserted that self-reliance in defence is not a slogan but a strategic roadmap that will establish India as a formidable power in the 21st century, capable of defending its interests and emerging as a reliable partner on the world stage. Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh also attended the conclave alongside other dignitaries.

This comprehensive vision marks a decisive era for India’s defence sector—transforming it from a colonial legacy to a modern, inclusive, and innovative fortress of national security and technological prowess.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar