New Delhi: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s modern defence preparedness and highlighted the growing capabilities of the country’s indigenous defence industry, attributing the progress to sustained reforms aimed at achieving self-reliance.
Addressing an event in the national capital, Singh said indigenous systems such as the Akash missile system, Akash Teer air defence system and BrahMos missile played an important role during the operation. He described the mission as an example of India’s technological advancement and reiterated the government’s “zero tolerance” policy against terrorism.
The minister said India’s annual defence production reached a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, while defence exports crossed Rs 38,000 crore. The government aims to increase defence production to Rs 2 lakh crore this year and Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029, with defence exports targeted at Rs 50,000 crore by 2029.
Highlighting efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing, Singh said more than Rs 2,400 crore worth of procurement has been approved from start-ups and MSMEs, while projects worth over Rs 1,500 crore have been sanctioned for the development of new defence technologies. He added that 676 start-ups and innovators are currently associated with the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative.
Singh also said investments worth nearly Rs 70,000 crore have been proposed for the defence industrial corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, with around Rs 10,000 crore already invested. He said the government would continue to promote indigenous defence manufacturing and innovation to strengthen India’s position as a global defence producer and exporter.
