Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at the NDTV Defence Summit 2025, emphasized India's strong commitment to self-reliance in defence through indigenous development of warships and military equipment.

He highlighted that India is progressing towards "Atmanirbhar Bharat" by locally designing and manufacturing a significant portion—up to 75%—of its new warships, such as the Nilgiri-class stealth frigates INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri.

This indigenous capability enhances India's strategic autonomy and maritime power. The Indian Navy is set to commission up to 10 domestically built warships by the end of 2025, including advanced vessels like anti-submarine warfare crafts, reflecting major strides in naval indigenisation and capability enhancement.

Rajnath Singh linked this self-reliance to India's success in recent military operations such as Operation Sindoor in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

The operation demonstrated the effectiveness of indigenous air defence systems and precision strikes using home-grown equipment, showcasing years of strategic preparation and coordination. Singh emphasised that the victory over cross-border terrorism, enabled by indigenous military hardware, proves the critical nature of long-term defence preparedness.

Another significant impact of India's push for defence self-reliance is the dramatic rise in defence exports. India’s defence exports have increased from less than ₹700 crore in 2014 to nearly ₹24,000 crore in 2025, marking India’s transition from a buyer to an important global exporter of defence systems.

This growth not only secures India’s defence but also positions the country as a leading emerging power in the world, supported by the government's policies under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

Singh's message at the summit underscored that India’s indigenisation in defence manufacturing is critical for national security and economic strength, exemplified by indigenous warships, sophisticated weapon systems, successful military operations, and robust export growth. This approach, he said, will keep India secure in times to come and elevate its stature on the global stage.

Based On NDTV Report