Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently inaugurated a national-level conference focusing on opportunities in defence manufacturing at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, highlighting India’s remarkable progress towards self-reliance in the defence sector. Singh announced that India’s defence production has escalated to an unprecedented ₹1.5 lakh crore in 2025, reflecting a shift from ₹46,000 crore in 2014. This growth includes a surge in defence exports, which have nearly reached ₹24,000 crore. The Minister emphasized the importance of new digital platforms launched during the conference, including the Defence Exim Portal to streamline export processes and the SRIJAN-DEEP portal to map the capabilities of Indian defence industries. He underscored the need for India to become a global leader in defence technology amidst evolving warfare dynamics that increasingly rely on data, algorithms, and technologies such as artificial intelligence and drones, as demonstrated during Operation Sindoor. Singh reinforced the government’s commitment to fostering an innovation ecosystem, urging startups to strive for excellence and establish India’s first defence unicorn. By 2029, the government aims to achieve a defence manufacturing target of ₹3 lakh crore and exports of ₹50,000 crore, marking a strategic pivot towards national security and economic self-sufficiency. This concerted push towards indigenization and technological advancement not only aims to enhance national security but also positions India as a significant player in the global defence market, reflecting the broader vision of a self-reliant India under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.