Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said Operation Sindoor, the Balakot airstrikes and the surgical strikes reflected a decisive shift in India’s approach to cross-border terrorism, moving from diplomatic condemnation to proactive action against terror networks.
Addressing a Defence Conclave in New Delhi, the Defence Minister asserted that India remained committed to peace but would respond firmly to threats against its sovereignty and national security. He warned that any further terrorist acts originating from Pakistan would invite a stronger response.
“Operation Sindoor, Balakot Airstrikes and Surgical Strikes weren’t just military operations; they symbolised a decisive shift in the nation’s approach, moving from diplomatic condemnation to proactive action aimed at rooting out terrorism by reaching its very source,” Singh said.
He emphasised that India’s cultural ethos favoured dialogue, coexistence and peaceful resolution of disputes, but its commitment to peace should not be mistaken for weakness. He also said that since 2014, the ‘shelf life’ of most terrorists had fallen to less than a year, with security forces neutralising them within a year of their taking up arms against India.
Calls for Preparedness Against Emerging Security Threats
Highlighting the changing security environment, Singh stressed the need for heightened vigilance and preparedness amid the growing complexity of hybrid, high-tech and hyper warfare.
He outlined what he termed the ‘5D Security Threat’ — Disinformation, Destabilisation, Disruption, Deception and Destruction — and cautioned that terrorism was evolving beyond organised groups to include lone-wolf attacks and what he described as ‘white-collar terrorism’.
Referring to a recent incident involving a co-pilot who allegedly attempted to crash a passenger aircraft, Singh also praised Captain Smit Machhar for his role in averting a potential tragedy.
“The fight against terrorism requires not only the capabilities of security agencies but also the active participation of aware and responsible citizens,” he said, underlining the importance of public vigilance in preventing security threats.
The Defence Minister called for integrating military strength with technological innovation and strategic awareness. He advocated a shift towards ‘smart power’, combining conventional military capabilities with advanced technologies and cost-effective systems.
“Modern defence strategies must integrate precision-guided weapons and loitering munitions with cost-effective weaponry, human intelligence with artificial intelligence, and advanced systems with low-cost, agile and adaptable technologies to address evolving security challenges,” Singh said.
Defence Reforms and Push for Self-Reliance
Singh attributed India’s growing defence capabilities to reforms, changes in operational approaches and a renewed focus on self-reliance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said the government had shifted from meeting immediate defence requirements towards building an Aatmanirbhar and future-ready defence ecosystem. Reforms in licensing regulations and measures to improve the ease of doing business had expanded the domestic defence manufacturing base, with more than 500 companies now operating in the sector and hundreds of new industrial licences issued.
Highlighting reforms in defence procurement, Singh said priority was being given to domestic manufacturers through mechanisms such as the Defence Acquisition Procedure and the ‘Buy Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured’ category.
He noted that 75 per cent of the defence modernisation budget had been earmarked for procurement from Indian industry, strengthening collaboration between public sector enterprises, private companies and emerging technology firms.
The Defence Minister said India was moving from a ‘Whole of Government Approach’ towards a ‘Whole of Country Approach’ and, gradually, a ‘Whole of the People Approach’, with start-ups, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), individual innovators and large corporations contributing to national security.
Operation Sindoor Highlights Indigenous Defence Capabilities
Singh described Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of India’s growing technological capabilities and the confidence of its armed forces in advanced indigenous systems, including the Akash missile system and BrahMos.
He highlighted the progress made in defence indigenisation, stating that the armed forces had issued five positive indigenisation lists covering 509 items, with a sixth list being prepared for release. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) had identified 5,012 items for indigenisation, including sub-systems, spares and components, of which 3,255 had been indigenised.
The Defence Minister said the progress reflected the growing contribution of domestic manufacturers to India’s military preparedness and the government’s emphasis on reducing dependence on imported defence equipment.
Defence Production and Exports Reach Record Levels
Highlighting the expansion of the domestic defence industry, Singh said India’s defence production had risen to a record level of more than ₹1.78 lakh crore, compared with around ₹40,000 crore in 2014.
Defence exports had also reached an all-time high of ₹39,000 crore, up from ₹686 crore in 2013-14, with Indian defence products reaching nearly 100 countries.
The Defence Minister expressed confidence that India would achieve defence production worth ₹2 lakh crore in the current year and ₹3 lakh crore by 2029. He also set out an export ambition of ₹50,000 crore by 2029.
He attributed the growth to reforms aimed at simplifying export procedures, including the Defence EXIM Portal, online approvals, the Open General Export Licence, streamlined quality certification and the ‘Green Channel’ policy.
Start-ups and Innovation at the Centre of Defence Modernisation
Emphasising the role of research, development and innovation, Singh highlighted initiatives such as Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), iDEX Prime and the ADITI scheme, which support start-ups, MSMEs and young innovators in developing defence technologies.
He said the Ministry of Defence had approved procurement of goods and services worth more than ₹2,400 crore from start-ups and MSMEs and sanctioned projects exceeding ₹1,500 crore for new technology development.
As of March 2026, iDEX had engaged 676 start-ups and innovators and facilitated the signing of 551 contracts. Singh added that India’s defence start-up ecosystem had grown from a few dozen enterprises in 2018 to more than 2,000, with companies working in areas such as drones, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, cybersecurity and robotics.
He also highlighted the expanding role of the private sector, more than 16,000 MSMEs, DPSUs and innovation centres in strengthening the defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Referring to the corporatisation of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board, Singh said the reform had helped transform the organisations into more commercially sustainable enterprises.
Focus on Indigenisation and Military Reforms
Singh said defence manufacturing was undergoing modernisation and indigenisation, supported by greater transparency and accountability in procurement.
Citing progress in ammunition production, he said 159 of the 175 ammunition variants used by the armed forces were now manufactured domestically, representing more than 90 per cent self-reliance in ammunition variants.
He also highlighted India’s exports of bulletproof jackets to more than 100 countries and noted that the country was the fourth in the world to establish a national standard for bulletproof jackets aligned with international norms.
The Defence Minister referred to the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme and the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff post as significant measures to strengthen the country’s defence framework.
Concluding his address, Singh expressed confidence that India would emerge as a developed nation by the centenary of its Independence in 2047 and provide global leadership in technology, the economy and defence.
He reiterated that building a strong indigenous defence ecosystem, improving military preparedness and fostering innovation would remain essential to safeguarding India’s sovereignty and advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat.
-PIB
