Defence production rises nearly four-fold to ₹1.78 lakh crore, says Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared on Friday that the government is prioritising defence modernisation and establishing India as a leading defence manufacturing nation. Speaking through Akashvani on the eve of Independence Day, Mr. Singh noted that over the past 12 years, the defence sector underwent significant changes as a result of initiatives like 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India'.

He reported that defence production surged from ₹46,000 crore in 2014 to ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, representing a nearly four-fold increase. Public sector enterprises contributed about 76% of this production, while the private sector's share grew to 24%. Defence exports expanded from ₹686 crore in 2013-14 to ₹38,424 crore in 2025-26, more than quintupling.

India now boasts 145 defence exporters serving over 80 nations. The government aims to meet the ₹50,000-crore defence export target by 2029. The defence budget increased from ₹2.53 lakh crore in 2013-14 to ₹7.85 lakh crore in 2026-27, with capital expenditure reaching ₹2.19 lakh crore. Research and development funding also grew by 90% to ₹29,100 crore.

Mr. Singh highlighted procurement reforms that expanded field commanders' financial authority and enabled over ₹1.25 lakh crore of procurement through the revenue route to boost indigenisation. He discussed recent technological advancements, including trials of advanced missile systems and the successful test of an active-cooled scramjet combustor, positioning India among top nations pursuing hypersonic missile technology.

The Minister also emphasised efforts to reinforce border infrastructure, support serving and retired personnel, and increase women's involvement in the armed forces, citing the first batch of women cadets at the National Defence Academy and the tri-service all-women circumnavigation expedition.