In a strong reaffirmation of the Government’s commitment to bolster India’s defence industry, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the seventh annual session of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) on October 4. He emphasized the importance of aligning efforts with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a global manufacturing hub, particularly in light of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Rajnath Singh underscored the government’s renewed focus in its third consecutive term on creating a robust, innovative, and self-reliant defence ecosystem. He highlighted several initiatives aimed at achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence, including the establishment of defence industrial corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the issuance of positive indigenisation lists (PILs), and the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board.
He pointed to the 10 PILs, which encompass over 5,500 items, as a crucial step towards equipping the Armed Forces with domestically manufactured platforms and equipment. “These lists are dynamic & not static,” he noted, urging the industry to strive for complete self-reliance within set timelines and to continuously evaluate opportunities for new additions based on rapid global defence developments.
The minister highlighted the government’s role in fostering an environment conducive to business, setting a target for making India’s defence industry more export-oriented. He praised the significant contributions of the private sector, which helped achieve record defence exports exceeding Rs 21,000 crore in the Financial Year (FY) 2023-24. He encouraged the industry to monitor export-import ratios and pursue a target-oriented approach to enhance this balance.
Recognizing the vital role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups in defence, he acknowledged the challenges they face and urged SIDM to work closely with the government to address these issues. “It is important to ensure that our policies translate into ease of doing business at the ground level,” he stated.
He further urged the industry to invest in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cyber defence, and autonomous systems, stressing, “India’s defence industry must keep pace with global trends. The government is ready to provide all necessary support.”
During the session, Rajnath Singh also presented the SIDM Champion Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in defence manufacturing. He described the awards as a testament to the dedication and excellence of Indian manufacturers, setting a benchmark for best practices in the sector.
The session, themed ‘Empowering Indian Defence Industry: Catalysing Exports and Indigenous Innovation,’ served as a platform for stakeholders to discuss India’s growing role as a global defence exporter and innovation hub. Distinguished attendees included Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, and SIDM President Rajinder Singh Bhatia.
