New Delhi:
In a significant milestone for India’s defence sector, the country has achieved a ten-fold increase in defence exports over the last decade, marking a substantial leap towards its goal of becoming a global manufacturing hub for defence. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted this achievement during his address to officers at the Army War College in Mhow Cantonment, Madhya Pradesh.
Record-Breaking Defence Exports
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that India’s defence exports have surged from a modest Rs 2,000 crore a decade ago to a record Rs 21,083 crore in the fiscal year 2023-24. This remarkable growth underscores the country’s enhanced capabilities in defence production and export. Singh emphasized that this growth is part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on defence imports and to establish India as a major player in the global defence market.
Ambitious Targets for the Future
India has set an ambitious target to increase its annual defence exports to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029. This target aligns with the government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in the defence sector. The private sector has played a crucial role in this growth, contributing about 60% of the export value, while Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) accounted for the remaining 40%.
Evolving Nature of Warfare and Technological Mastery
Singh’s speech also focused on the evolving nature of warfare globally, emphasizing the importance of mastering frontier technologies such as information warfare, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based warfare, proxy warfare, electromagnetic warfare, space warfare, and cyber-attacks. He stressed the need for the military to be well-trained and equipped to counter these modern threats.
Economic Prosperity and National Security
The Defence Minister underscored the interdependence of economic prosperity and national security. He stated that economic growth is contingent upon robust national security, and conversely, a strong security system is essential for economic prosperity. This dual focus is critical for India’s overall development and global standing.
