Defence Minister

October 26, 2026 4:52 PM

DAC clears defence acquisition proposals worth Rs 2.12 lakh crore; 82% procurement from Indian industry

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Monday granted in-principle approval to capital acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹2.12 lakh crore for the armed forces. Around 82 per cent of the proposed procurement will be from Indian industry, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The council accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), an in-principle administrative approval, to the proposals. For the Army, the approvals cover High Mobility Ve...

October 21, 2026 10:27 AM

India seeks prosperity and strength alongside global peace: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said India was working to combine economic prosperity, knowledge and strength with a commitment to global peace and human well-being, as he addressed the Indian diaspora in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Guided by the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or “the world is one family”, India’s development ambitions extended beyond national progress, Singh said. He credited economic reforms, technological advancement and the country’s growing international ...

October 20, 2026 2:44 PM

Rajnath Singh calls for united action against terrorism at SCO meeting

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called on Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism, saying there could be no justification or double standards in confronting the threat. Addressing the 25th SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Singh described terrorism as one of the gravest threats to peace and development, undermining investment, commerce and opportunities for young people. “There can be no ...

October 20, 2026 9:55 AM

Rajnath Singh holds ‘productive discussion’ with Tajikistan counterpart on sidelines of SCO meeting

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday had a “productive discussion” with his Tajikistan counterpart, on the sidelines of the SCO Heads of Government meeting, and the two exchanged views on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation. The minister, who is in Tajikistan on a two-day official visit to represent India at the meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), was accorded a ceremonial welcome on his arrival at the Dushanbe airp...

October 10, 2026 3:44 PM

Future Military Power Will Depend on Speed, Precision and Integration: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday emphasised the importance of self-reliance in defence manufacturing, technological innovation and international partnerships while addressing participants of the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur. Hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) from September 26 to October 12, the multinational air exercise brings together air forces from seven friendly foreign countries — Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri ...

October 6, 2026 1:10 PM

Rajnath Singh launches first indigenous Fleet Support Ship ‘Surya’, calls for Visakhapatnam maritime industrial hub

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday launched the first indigenously designed and built Fleet Support Ship, ‘Surya’, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, marking a milestone in strengthening the Indian Navy’s operational reach and endurance. Singh also laid the keel of the fifth Fleet Support Ship, FSS-5, and inaugurated the upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath Crane, expanding the shipyard’s capacity to build larger and more complex vessels. “The launch o...

October 6, 2026 12:52 PM

Rajnath Singh highlights Indian Navy’s growing strength, calls for harnessing maritime potential for prosperity

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday highlighted the Indian Navy’s growing combat capabilities and indigenous platforms, calling for India to harness its maritime potential to advance economic growth, national prosperity and strategic strength. Addressing a Barakhana organised by the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, Singh commended naval personnel for safeguarding India’s maritime interests and acknowledged the support and sacrifices of their families. He said the Navy had emerg...

October 5, 2026 4:40 PM

Rajnath Singh to launch Navy’s first Fleet Support Ship in Visakhapatnam on October 6

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will launch the Indian Navy’s first Fleet Support Ship, FSS-1, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam on October 6, marking a milestone in India’s indigenous shipbuilding programme. He will also lay the keel of the fifth Fleet Support Ship, FSS-5, and inaugurate the shipyard’s upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath Crane. The upgraded slipway, with its extended length and enhanced load-bearing capacity, supported by the crane, will enable the sh...

October 1, 2026 3:52 PM

Rajnath Singh launches digital and financial management initiatives at DAD’s 279th Annual Day

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday launched a series of digital and financial management initiatives aimed at strengthening the integration of financial systems across the armed forces, improving defence expenditure monitoring and enhancing transparency in defence financial management. Singh launched the initiatives while addressing the 279th Annual Day celebrations of the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) at DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi. Congratulating the DAD on nearly three centuries of...

September 29, 2026 5:11 PM

India first responder, preferred security partner in Indian Ocean Region: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday described India as a “First Responder” and “Preferred Security Partner” in the Indian Ocean Region, asserting that the country’s growing maritime presence and responsibilities require stronger surveillance and response mechanisms. Addressing the second edition of the Indian Navy’s biannual Commanders’ Conference 2026 at Nausena Bhawan in New Delhi, Singh said India’s strategic position and responsibilities in the region were growing amid...