Defence production reaches Rs 1.78 lakh crore, says Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh outlined modernisation priorities and set production and export targets for 2029 during a meeting in Jaisalmer.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that defence production reached a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26. Speaking at a Consultative Committee meeting in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on November 3, Singh also noted that defence exports have risen to Rs 38,424 crore, according to the Times of India.
The Minister said the government aims to hit Rs 3 lakh crore in production and Rs 50,000 crore in exports by 2029. He noted that exports have grown from less than Rs 2,000 crore in 2014 to nearly Rs 40,000 crore.
Singh identified financial resources, technology, and organisational restructuring as key pillars for modernising the Armed Forces. He said the total defence budget for the 2026-27 financial year has risen to Rs 7.85 lakh crore, with Rs 2.19 lakh crore allocated for capital procurement and modernisation.
Addressing the Delhi Defence Dialogue at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, Singh described self-reliance as a quest for technological sovereignty. He said it involves the ability to design, build, upgrade, and sustain platforms to avoid external dependencies.
The Minister called for increased private sector involvement in programmes such as shipbuilding and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. He also suggested a shift toward co-development and shared innovation with international partners rather than simple procurement.
The meeting in Rajasthan was attended by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and several Members of Parliament. Singh highlighted that the role of drones, missiles, and air defence systems is growing in the current global security environment.