New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday hailed the remarkable transformation of India’s defence sector over the past 11 years, attributing it to the bold and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sharing his views in a post on social media platform X, Singh said India has progressed from being a largely import-driven defence economy to becoming a “trusted global exporter.”
Highlighting the success of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives, Singh noted that India’s defence exports have skyrocketed—from just ₹1,940 crore in 2014-15 to ₹23,622 crore in 2024-25. He cited key milestones such as the commissioning of INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier; the development of the LCH Prachand, a multi-role combat helicopter; the indigenous Tejas fighter jet; and advancements in missile technology including BrahMos production. These achievements, Singh said, showcase India’s growing self-reliance and global strategic presence.
In a separate post titled “Self-reliant defence: Strengthening Tomorrow’s Bharat”, Singh shared a video that portrayed India’s evolving counter-terrorism capabilities, highlighting military exercises, troop patrols, Operation Sindoor, reduced insurgency in the Northeast, and the rising role of women in the armed forces—termed ‘Nari Shakti.’
Singh said that as India marks #11YearsOfRakshaShakti, it celebrates not only military progress but also the broader journey towards strategic global leadership and national strength. He emphasized that under PM Modi, India now enjoys stronger borders, modernized forces, increased indigenous production, and growing global trust.
As the Modi government begins its third term following its victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) released a comprehensive fact sheet chronicling major achievements in the defence sector over the past decade.
According to the PIB, India’s defence ecosystem has evolved into a confident and self-reliant sector, driven by strategic foresight and firm political will. This transformation has touched all levels—from procurement and production to innovation and exports.
In 2024-25 alone, the Ministry of Defence signed a record 193 contracts worth ₹2,09,050 crore. Out of these, 177 contracts—worth ₹1,68,922 crore—were awarded to domestic industries, further underlining the focus on indigenization.
A major first during this period was the signing of a wet lease agreement with Metrea Management for a KC-135 flight refuelling aircraft. This aircraft will be used by both the Indian Air Force and Navy for air-to-air refuelling training and is expected to be delivered within six months.
The PIB also spotlighted the expanding role of women in India’s armed forces. Over 11,000 women now serve across the services—a substantial increase reflecting shifting policy and societal attitudes. Permanent Commission has been granted to 507 women officers, enabling them to take on leadership roles. Additionally, the National Defence Academy (NDA) began inducting female cadets in 2022, with 126 having enrolled across four batches so far. On May 30, 2025, 17 of these cadets graduated alongside their male counterparts, marking a historic milestone in gender inclusion within the armed forces.
India’s strong counter-terrorism stance was also highlighted. Incidents of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir dropped significantly—from 228 in 2018 to just 28 in 2024. Stone-pelting incidents, once widespread in the region, have seen a complete 100% decline, indicating a return to peace and order. In its battle against Naxalism, the government is aiming for complete elimination of the insurgency by March 31, 2026, backed by focused development efforts and special central assistance.
Summarizing the decade-long journey, the PIB stated that India’s defence sector has been reshaped by “bold decisions, strategic foresight, and unwavering resolve,” turning it into a powerhouse of indigenous capability and global reliability.
