India’s Defence Sector Revolutionised In 11 Years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government with Focus on Self-Reliance and Modernisation

By R Anil Kumar

• India’s defence sector has undergone a historic transformation in the last eleven years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

• The Prime Minister’s leadership has resulted in stronger borders, modern armed forces, indigenous weapons, record defence exports, and global trust, leading the sector towards self-reliance

Bengaluru. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government since coming to Power in 2014 has made significant achievements and has unfolded in the defence sector in the 11 years of his government, with a clear focus on both modernisation and self-reliance in defence production.

The last 11 years have marked significant changes in our defence sector, with a clear focus on both modernisation and becoming self-reliant when it comes to defence production.

It is gladdening to see how the people of India have come together with the resolve of making India stronger. PM Modi shared a thread from a government’s citizen engagement platform, which highlighted the changes in different areas, as his government completed 11 years in office on Tuesday, June 10.

In just 11 years under Modi’s visionary leadership, India has revolutionised its defence capabilities, deepened strategic global partnerships, and achieved historic milestones in space exploration, it said.

Guided by his resolve for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, the nation has embraced self-reliant innovation and expanded its influence in trade and technology, it added.

“India’s Rise in 11 Years: Power, Partnerships, and Progress,” it said, putting out the government’s initiatives and subsequent changes in different fields.

India’s defence exports have soared to Rs 23,622 crore in 2024-25 from Rs 1,940 crore in 2014-15, the post said, noting the country also unveiled its first indigenous aircraft carrier in INS Vikrant.

It said, “This is the story of India’s rise as a confident, decisive, and respected global leader driven by PM Modi’s bold vision and unwavering commitment to a stronger Bharat.

“India’s missile power had its precision and reach elevated, it said, mentioning Brahmos extended range version, which was successfully test-fired from Su-30 MKI, among others.”

“The thread also highlighted India’s robust ties with other countries, noting the inking of its “historic” trade deal with the UK and comprehensive economic power agreement with the UAE.

Highlighting India’s commitment to global peace, it said the country stands as a leading force in UN peacekeeping

During the pandemic, India also provided two lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses to UN peacekeepers, supporting health and safety on the frontlines of peace, it added.

India has transformed to become a ‘trusted’ defence global exporter: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserts Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ has delivered in military sector with exports rising  to Rs. 23,622 cr in 2024-25 from Rs. 1,940 cr in 2014-15

India has transformed into “trusted global exporter” from the large defence importer due to the bold and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted as the NDA government completed eleven years in Office on June 10.

Putting out official data, Singh posted on X that India’s defence exports rose to Rs. 23,622 crore in 2024-25 from Rs. 1,940 crore in 2014-15.

This was possible, according to the Defence Minister, due to the government’s thrust on ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.

“In the last 11 years, under the bold and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s  Defence  sector has transformed largely from import to a  defence -driven model to becoming a trusted global exporter,” the Minister wrote.

On the country’s growing self-reliant capabilities, he also highlighted India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, maiden home grown multi-role combat helicopter LCH Prachand and the missile capabilities.

During Operation Sindoor, the armed forces demonstrated successful utilisation of indigenous weapon systems including air defence system dominated by Akash missile systems, and BrahMos missiles that demolished with accuracy  camps and military installations in the offensive against Pakistan.

Leaps & Bounds

“Powered by #AatmanirbharBharat and #MakeInIndia, this journey has led to record-high defence exports to 100+ countries, indigenous milestones like LCH Prachand, Tejas fighter jets, BrahMos missile production and the rise of defence corridors attracting massive investments,” it said.

As “we celebrate #11YearsOfRakshaShakti, we honour India’s stride towards strength, self-reliance and strategic global leadership”, Singh posted.

Singh in another post on X tagged a video titled ‘Self-reliant defence: Strengthening Tomorrow’s Bharat’, that showed India’s counter-terrorism stance, including Operation Sindoor, various military exercises, patrolling by troops, drop in insurgency cases in the northeast, and ‘Nari Shakti’ in the armed forces.

“In the #11YearsOfRakshaShakti, India’s defence sector has undergone a historic transformation under PM @narendramodi’s inspiring leadership which has resulted into stronger borders. A proud stride towards self armed forces, indigenous weapons, record defence exports and -reliance,” Singh said.

“We are supplying arms to the countries, with a defence export target of Rs 50,000 crore this year and Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029.”

The Defence Minister stated that India’s defence budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 is Rs 2.81 lakh crore, up from approximately Rs 2.53 lakh crore in 2023-24.

India has become the fourth-largest economy in the world and is on the path to becoming the third-largest.

“India is confident of achieving the goal of a developed nation by 2047 with Modi’s visionary leadership,” he added.

When the Ukraine-Russia war began, India safely evacuated 23,000 students, and students from 28 countries left safely under the Indian flag. “Under Operation Kaveri, over 3,000 Indians were brought back safely and after the Pahalgam terrorist attack it was the first time such a significant military operation was conducted against a nuclear-armed country. During the Operation Sindoor, Indian armed forces eliminated terrorists in 23 minutes, destroying their 11 air bases,” he added.