Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted on Monday that India must remain vigilant and prepared for a “war-like situation” at all times, citing recent military conflict with Pakistan as a reminder that challenges may emerge unexpectedly along national borders.
Speaking at a significant event in New Delhi, Singh noted that the four-day confrontation in May, named Operation Sindoor, provided valuable lessons for India’s future security strategies. “Although we responded firmly, our forces are fully prepared to defend the country’s borders, and we must continue to introspect,” he explained. “Operation Sindoor should serve as a case study from which we can learn and chart our future course. It has shown that anything can happen at our borders, anywhere, anytime.”
Singh emphasized the importance of self-reliance in defense capabilities, pointing to India’s indigenously developed weapons systems—including the Akash missile, BrahMos, and the Akashteer air defence control system. These systems are vital to not only national security but also enhancing India’s global defense reputation.
“We need to be ready for a war-like situation, and our preparedness must rest on our own foundation,” Singh stated. He highlighted that indigenisation is the sustainable path to tackle emerging global uncertainties in defense security.
Moreover, Singh announced that the Indian government is actively creating a level-playing field for defence manufacturing to bolster the domestic ecosystem. “We are striving to ensure that defence equipment is not merely assembled in India but genuinely manufactured here, embodying the spirit of ‘Made in India, Made for the World’,” he declared.
The Defence Minister provided encouraging statistics about India’s growing defense sector. He reported that domestic defence production has skyrocketed from ₹46,000 crore in 2014 to an impressive ₹1.51 lakh crore today, with the private sector contributing a substantial ₹33,000 crore. He also pointed out that defence exports have surged dramatically to nearly ₹24,000 crore and are projected to reach ₹30,000 crore by March 2026.
Rajnath Singh’s remarks come as a critical reminder of the evolving geopolitical landscape, where preparedness and self-reliance play a paramount role in ensuring national security. By prioritizing domestic capabilities, India positions itself not only as a resilient nation but also as a formidable player in global defense.
