Rajnath Singh calls for technological sovereignty in defence, says self-reliance must go beyond domestic manufacturing

By Aroonim Bhuyan

New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on November 3 called for a comprehensive transformation of India’s defence ecosystem, emphasising that military preparedness in the 21st century cannot be separated from technological and industrial capabilities.

He said India’s pursuit of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) must go beyond domestic assembly and manufacturing to achieve technological sovereignty, ensuring that the country’s critical defence requirements are not held hostage to external dependencies.

Addressing the third edition of the Delhi Defence Dialogue 2026, organised by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) in New Delhi, Singh underlined the need to integrate defence reforms, indigenous technological development, international collaborations and exports into a coherent national strategy.

The two-day dialogue, being held on November 3 and 4, is centred on the theme ‘Defence Reforms, Aatmanirbharta, Collaborations and Exports’. It brings together policymakers, senior military officers, representatives of the defence industry, academics, strategic affairs experts and international delegates to discuss India’s evolving security requirements and the future of its defence industrial ecosystem.

The Defence Minister described the four elements of the dialogue’s theme as interconnected pillars of India’s ambition to become a developed nation by 2047. He explained that reforms represent the willingness to change, ‘Aatmanirbharta’, the determination to create, collaborations the confidence to partner with the world, and exports the readiness to compete globally.

According to Singh, self-reliance without reforms would not deliver its full potential, while self-reliance without international collaboration could restrict India’s technological horizons. Similarly, without exports, the domestic defence industry might not achieve the scale, competitiveness and sustainability required to emerge as a major global player.

His address placed particular emphasis on the relationship between national security, technological innovation and industrial capacity at a time when the character of warfare is undergoing fundamental changes.

Changing character of warfare and the importance of technological preparedness

Explaining the rationale behind India’s emphasis on technological self-reliance, Singh observed that recent conflicts across the world had demonstrated a fundamental transformation in the character of warfare.

He pointed out that the modern battlefield was no longer confined to land, sea and air, but had expanded into space, cyberspace and the wider digital domain. The distinction between conventional and unconventional warfare was also becoming increasingly blurred.

Another significant development, he noted, was the changing economics of warfare. Relatively inexpensive drones and autonomous systems could challenge sophisticated and costly military platforms, fundamentally altering the relationship between the cost of military equipment and its battlefield effectiveness.

In this changing environment, the ability to innovate rapidly, manufacture equipment at scale and replenish military capabilities had become as important as possessing advanced weapon systems.

Singh argued that India’s defence preparedness must therefore rest on its ability to develop critical technologies, manufacture essential equipment and sustain military capabilities independently throughout their operational life cycles.

The Minister’s observations assume particular significance against the backdrop of recent conflicts, which have demonstrated the growing importance of unmanned aerial systems, precision-guided weapons, electronic warfare, Artificial Intelligence, cyber operations and integrated multi-domain capabilities.

The growing proliferation of relatively inexpensive drones and autonomous weapons has also compelled militaries to reconsider conventional approaches to force modernisation, air defence, surveillance and battlefield logistics.

For India, this transformation makes it essential to develop a domestic ecosystem capable of producing not only complete military platforms but also the sophisticated subsystems, propulsion technologies, sensors, electronics, software and specialised materials that determine their operational effectiveness.

‘Aatmanirbharta’ as technological sovereignty

One of the central messages of Singh’s address was that ‘Aatmanirbharta’ should be understood as a quest for technological sovereignty rather than simply domestic manufacturing or import substitution.

He clarified that self-reliance did not mean producing everything within India irrespective of cost, technological capability or economic viability. Instead, it meant ensuring that critical defence requirements could not be compromised by external supply-chain disruptions or geopolitical developments.

The minister outlined four essential components of genuine defence self-reliance:

• Possessing the knowledge and expertise to design advanced defence platforms.
• Developing the technology and industrial capacity to manufacture them.
• Owning the intellectual property necessary to upgrade and improve indigenous systems.
• Having the ability to maintain, repair, modernise and sustain platforms throughout their operational lifetimes.

This distinction is particularly important for India, which has made considerable progress in domestic defence production but continues to depend on foreign suppliers for several critical technologies, including advanced aero-engines, propulsion systems, specialised materials, sensors and certain electronic components.

Singh’s emphasis was that assembling foreign-designed platforms in India or manufacturing equipment under technology-transfer arrangements would not, by themselves, constitute complete technological self-reliance.

India must progressively acquire the capacity to design, develop, modify and upgrade sophisticated defence systems independently.

At the same time, he cautioned against interpreting self-reliance as technological isolation. International partnerships would remain important for accessing advanced technologies, accelerating indigenous development and strengthening India’s domestic industrial base.

He advocated a transition from conventional buyer-seller relationships and technology-transfer arrangements towards partnerships based on co-development, co-production and shared innovation.

Under this approach, Indian companies and research institutions would have a more substantive role in the design and development of advanced systems, with appropriate participation in intellectual property, technology ownership and manufacturing.

Defence reforms and greater private-sector participation

Highlighting the institutional changes undertaken to strengthen India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, Singh said technological and industrial capabilities could not develop without an enabling policy environment, responsive institutions and efficient decision-making processes.

He referred to the establishment of Defence Industrial Corridors and the corporatisation of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board into seven Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) as important initiatives undertaken over the past decade.

The Defence Industrial Corridors are intended to expand domestic manufacturing capacity, attract investments, develop supply-chain networks and facilitate closer cooperation between defence manufacturers, research institutions and technology companies.

Similarly, the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board was intended to provide the seven successor DPSUs with greater managerial autonomy, operational flexibility and competitiveness.

The minister also stressed the importance of expanding private-sector participation in the development and manufacturing of sophisticated defence platforms and systems.

He specifically identified opportunities for private industry in programmes such as:

• Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA): Participation in the development and manufacturing of India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter programme.
• Propulsion systems: Indigenous development and co-development of advanced propulsion technologies, including aero-engines.
• Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS): Greater domestic industrial participation in advanced artillery systems.
• Artillery ammunition: Expansion of indigenous production capabilities and manufacturing capacity.
• Shipbuilding: Greater involvement of private shipyards and industrial partners in naval ship construction and associated technologies.

He said such opportunities would accelerate indigenous development, expand manufacturing capacity and strengthen India’s position in international defence markets.

Singh also highlighted the importance of integrating micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), startups and academic institutions into the defence manufacturing ecosystem.

Their participation would be particularly relevant in emerging technology areas, including artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, robotics, advanced electronics, cybersecurity, quantum technologies and next-generation communications.

He recalled that 2025 had been observed as the ‘Year of Reforms’ in the Ministry of Defence, with particular emphasis on jointness, integration, emerging technologies, innovation and strengthening the domestic defence industrial ecosystem.

The reforms initiated across policy frameworks, institutional structures, technology development, acquisition procedures and ease of doing business, he said, were beginning to produce results.

Defence production reaches record levels; exports cross ₹38,000 crore

Pointing to the progress made by the domestic defence industry, Singh cited the record performance of India’s defence manufacturing and exports during the financial year 2025-26.

According to figures highlighted by the minister:

• ₹1.78 lakh crore defence production in FY 2025-26
• ₹38,424 cr Defence exports in FY 2025-26
• 80+ countries receiving Indian defence products
• 2029 target year for the next production and export milestones

Government targets for 2029

• ₹3 lakh crore annual defence production
• ₹50,000 crore annual defence exports

Rajnath Singh said the growth reflected the increasing contribution of defence public-sector enterprises, private manufacturers, medium and small enterprises (MSMEs) and startups.

He attributed the expansion of defence exports to sustained policy liberalisation, simplification and standardisation of procedures, which had enabled Indian manufacturers, particularly smaller enterprises, to respond more effectively to international opportunities.

However, he stressed that the country needed to move beyond simply exporting finished defence equipment.

India should increasingly expand its defence export portfolio to include maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, training, logistics support and technology cooperation.

This would enable Indian manufacturers to establish longer-term relationships with foreign customers and transform individual equipment sales into enduring strategic partnerships.

Singh reiterated the government’s target of achieving annual defence production of ₹3 lakh crore and defence exports of ₹50,000 crore by 2029.

Achieving these objectives, he said, would require the domestic industry to expand manufacturing capacity, improve product quality, strengthen technological capabilities and become more competitive in the international marketplace.

Focus on indigenous propulsion systems and advanced defence technologies

A major area of deliberation at the Delhi Defence Dialogue 2026 was the development of indigenous propulsion systems, which remain among the most challenging areas of India’s defence technological ambitions.

The issue is particularly significant for India’s aerospace, naval and land-based military platforms.

In the aviation sector, the development of indigenous aero-engines is critical to reducing dependence on foreign manufacturers for fighter aircraft and other military aviation programmes. India’s AMCA programme, in particular, has brought the question of advanced engine development, intellectual property rights, technology-sharing arrangements and manufacturing workshare into sharper focus.

The dialogue’s agenda also included the development of propulsion technologies for naval vessels and land-based military platforms.

MP-IDSA had organised a preparatory roundtable on June 10, 2026, under the theme ‘Propulsion Systems: Aatmanirbharta and Co-development’. The discussions examined indigenous development of propulsion technologies across land, air and maritime domains, as well as opportunities for international partnerships.

Another preparatory roundtable, held on July 8, focused on ‘Stimulating India’s Defence Exports in the Next Decade’, bringing together government representatives, defence public-sector companies and private industry.

These preparatory discussions provided the background for the wider deliberations at the November dialogue.

Navy Chief stresses on strategic necessity of Aatmanirbharta

The importance of self-reliance in maritime capabilities also featured prominently in the dialogue.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, addressing an earlier session, described Aatmanirbharta as a strategic necessity for the Indian Navy.

Speaking on the theme ‘Aatmanirbharta in Naval Systems at 2047’, he emphasised the need to develop a navy capable of fighting, sustaining and adapting to changing operational requirements without being constrained by external dependencies.

He underlined that self-reliance did not mean isolation from international partnerships. Rather, India should engage with friendly countries from a position of technological and industrial strength.

His remarks highlighted the importance of indigenous naval platforms, propulsion systems, weapons, sensors, communications and other critical equipment in ensuring the Navy’s long-term operational preparedness.

The issue assumes particular importance given India’s expanding maritime responsibilities in the Indian Ocean Region, the increasing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific and the need to protect critical sea lines of communication.

The Navy’s long-term modernisation requirements also make indigenous shipbuilding, submarine development, naval aviation and advanced maritime surveillance technologies important components of India’s defence industrial strategy.

MP-IDSA’s role and international participation

Welcoming the participants, MP-IDSA Director General Ambassador Sujan R Chinoy said the Delhi Defence Dialogue provided an important platform for exchanging perspectives on defence reforms, indigenous technological capabilities, international collaboration and defence exports.

He highlighted the Institute’s efforts to expand engagement with domestic and international stakeholders through preparatory roundtables and other institutional initiatives.

The dialogue also followed the inaugural ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum, reflecting MP-IDSA’s efforts to strengthen international defence research and policy engagement.

The November 3-4 conference brings together representatives of defence ministries, armed forces, industry, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), MSMEs, startups, academic institutions and strategic research organisations from India and friendly foreign countries.

Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Dipti Mohil Chawla, senior serving and retired military officers, and foreign dignitaries were among those present.

The discussions are intended to generate actionable recommendations for strengthening India’s defence preparedness and creating a globally competitive domestic defence industrial ecosystem.

Key issues on the dialogue’s agenda

The MP-IDSA concept note identifies several areas requiring sustained policy attention as India works towards its 2047 objectives.

These include:

• Indigenous defence technologies: Developing domestic capabilities in naval, land, aerospace, missile and space-based military systems.
• Advanced propulsion: Addressing technological, financial, testing and intellectual property challenges in indigenous and jointly developed engines.
• Defence research and development: Strengthening the role of the armed forces in identifying operational requirements and participating directly in technology development.
• International co-development: Moving beyond conventional technology-transfer arrangements towards joint design, development and manufacturing.
• Defence innovation: Expanding collaboration between Indian start-ups, research institutions, established defence companies and foreign innovation organisations.
• Export competitiveness: Addressing certification, taxation, procurement procedures, quality standards and other barriers affecting Indian defence manufacturers in overseas markets.

An important issue is the need to make the Armed Forces active development partners rather than merely end-users or facilitators of indigenous defence technology.

The concept note also highlights the importance of identifying reasons behind delays and indecision in indigenous development programmes, strengthening accountability and upgrading defence testing infrastructure.

These questions are particularly relevant for complex programmes such as fighter aircraft engines, advanced combat aircraft, submarines, unmanned combat aerial vehicles and next-generation missile systems.

Strategic significance: India’s transition from defence importer to technology developer

The Delhi Defence Dialogue 2026 comes at a significant juncture in India’s defence modernisation journey.

For decades, India remained heavily dependent on foreign suppliers for several major military platforms and critical technologies. Although domestic defence production has expanded considerably, dependence on imported engines, advanced electronics, specialised materials, sensors and other high-technology components remains an important vulnerability.

The experience of recent international conflicts has reinforced the importance of maintaining uninterrupted access to military equipment, ammunition, spare parts and critical technologies.

It has also demonstrated that the ability to replenish weapons stocks, repair damaged platforms and rapidly manufacture equipment can be as important as the initial size and sophistication of a military arsenal.

For India, the challenge is therefore twofold: strengthening the technological foundations of its own armed forces while building an industrial ecosystem capable of competing internationally.

The government’s emphasis on domestic defence manufacturing, private-sector participation, startup innovation and exports is intended to address these requirements simultaneously.

International partnerships will remain an important part of this process, particularly in technologically demanding areas such as aero-engine development, advanced propulsion, semiconductor technologies, electronic warfare and next-generation combat aircraft.

However, the terms of such partnerships will be crucial. Greater Indian participation in design, intellectual property ownership, testing, manufacturing and subsequent upgrades would determine how far these collaborations contribute to genuine technological sovereignty.

The Defence Minister’s emphasis on co-development, co-production and shared innovation reflects this evolving approach.

Looking towards Viksit Bharat 2047

Concluding his address, Singh called for a collective national commitment involving the armed forces, government institutions, scientists, defence manufacturers, academia and international partners to realise India’s long-term defence ambitions.

He said India’s objective should be to move beyond procuring defence technologies towards creating them, beyond manufacturing exclusively for domestic requirements towards competing in global markets, and beyond merely participating in international defence partnerships towards contributing meaningfully to the future of global defence technology.

The larger objective, he indicated, was to establish India as a leading global centre for defence design, development, manufacturing and innovation by the centenary of Independence in 2047.

The Delhi Defence Dialogue is expected to contribute to this ambition by providing policy recommendations and facilitating closer engagement between the government, military establishments, industry and research institutions.

Ultimately, the central message emerging from the dialogue is that India’s defence self-reliance cannot be measured merely by the number of military platforms manufactured domestically or the value of defence exports. Its real measure will be the country’s ability to independently design, develop, manufacture, upgrade and sustain the critical technologies on which its national security depends.

The deliberations therefore represent an opportunity to examine how defence reforms, indigenous innovation, international partnerships and export expansion can collectively shape India’s transition into a technologically advanced and globally competitive defence manufacturing nation.