NEW DELHI, Mar 4: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the critical importance of reducing India’s reliance on imported military hardware, citing potential risks to strategic autonomy. Singh underscored the Modi government’s commitment to bolstering domestic manufacturing during an address at a conference.
Singh highlighted past challenges faced by India due to dependence on defence imports, emphasizing the need to prioritize domestic production. He noted that India’s annual domestic defence production has surpassed Rs 1 lakh crore, a significant increase from around Rs 44,000 crore in 2014.
The Defence Minister stressed that India’s strategic autonomy hinges on self-sufficiency in arms and equipment production. He cautioned against continued reliance on imports, warning that it could compromise the country’s autonomy and national security.
Singh asserted that without self-reliance, India would struggle to assert independent positions on global issues aligned with its national interests. He recalled the Modi government’s efforts since 2014 to reduce India’s reliance on imported defence hardware, emphasizing the need for a shift towards domestic production to mitigate vulnerabilities in critical situations.
Singh concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to fostering indigenous defence capabilities, asserting that India cannot afford to remain dependent on arms imports.
