Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored the imperative for India to reduce its reliance on defence imports, emphasizing the potential risks it poses to strategic autonomy. Speaking at the ‘DefConnect 2024’ conference, Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to bolstering domestic manufacturing in the defence sector, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Singh highlighted the significant growth in domestic defence production, with the annual volume surpassing Rs 1 lakh crore, compared to Rs 44,000 crore in 2014. He stressed the importance of manufacturing arms and equipment within the country to maintain strategic autonomy and safeguard national security interests.
Expressing concerns over India’s dependence on imports in critical sectors, Singh warned against the potential repercussions of such reliance, emphasizing that it could undermine the country’s sovereignty and independence on the global stage.
Singh recalled past instances where India faced challenges due to its reliance on defence imports during difficult times. He emphasized the need for self-reliance in key areas, including defence, to enable India to take independent positions on global issues aligned with its national interests.
Underlining the government’s proactive approach towards reducing dependence on imported defence hardware, Singh reaffirmed the importance of promoting indigenous manufacturing capabilities. He emphasized the role of domestic production in strengthening India’s resilience and preparedness in facing critical situations.
Singh’s remarks reflect the government’s strategic vision to transform India into a self-reliant defence powerhouse, capable of meeting its security needs independently. The emphasis on indigenous manufacturing aligns with India’s broader goals of promoting economic growth, innovation, and national security.
As India strives towards greater self-sufficiency in defence production, Singh’s call for prioritizing domestic manufacturing serves as a rallying cry for industry stakeholders and policymakers to collaborate towards achieving this objective. By fostering a robust ecosystem for indigenous defence production, India aims to enhance its strategic autonomy and emerge as a global leader in defence technology.
