New Delhi, July 18: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stated on Saturday at an event in New Delhi that Operation Sindoor symbolizes India’s modern and robust military capability. He emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership over the past 12 years, significant reforms in the defense sector have strengthened the country’s defense readiness, driven by the principles of ‘Nation First’ and ‘Army First.’
Singh described Operation Sindoor as a reminder of the unique valor of the Indian Armed Forces, which has effectively responded to terrorists and their backers, reflecting the government’s clear stance of ‘zero tolerance‘ towards terrorism. He stressed that this approach is not merely a statement but a comprehensive action plan, reiterating India’s capability to strike not only at the doorstep of terrorism but also within its strongholds.
The Defense Minister highlighted that India’s transformed defense sector played a crucial role in successfully executing complex operations like Operation Sindoor. He called it an excellent example of technological warfare and a testament to the government’s trust in Indian industries. “During this operation, advanced systems such as Akash Tiro, Akash missile systems, and BrahMos, along with several other cutting-edge tools, were effectively utilized. This was made possible due to the foundation laid over the past 12 years,” he stated.
Discussing the government’s initiatives to promote self-reliance in the defense sector, Rajnath Singh noted that five positive indigenization lists comprising 509 items have been released by the armed forces. Additionally, defense public sector undertakings have issued five lists with 5,012 items. He mentioned, “With a firm resolve and systematic approach towards building a self-reliant and empowered defense sector, another positive indigenization list will soon be notified to accelerate this goal.”
Highlighting the positive outcomes of continuous self-reliance efforts, the Defense Minister stated that annual defense production reached a record high of approximately ₹1.78 lakh crore in the fiscal year 2025-26, up from around ₹40,000 crore in 2014. He further noted that defense exports surged from ₹686 crore in the fiscal year 2013-14 to an all-time high of ₹38,000 crore. “Our defense production target this year is to surpass ₹2 lakh crore and reach ₹3 lakh crore by 2029. We aim to ensure that defense exports reach ₹50,000 crore by 2029. Given the current pace of progress, I am confident we will achieve these goals,” he added.
Rajnath Singh emphasized that the government has shifted its long-standing mindset of prioritizing imports over domestic production for the country’s security needs over the past 12 years. He stated, “Since 2014, our focus has been on strengthening defense preparedness through indigenous production of advanced weapons and technologies, with a special emphasis on reducing dependence on imports. We have established a defense industrial ecosystem within the country to meet both domestic and international requirements.”
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