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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said conventional warfare and means are still relevant today as they were in 1947, and noted that a nation that fulfils its own needs can march ahead with confidence. He was speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for a 10,000-tonne aluminium extrusion press at the state-owned Yantra India Limited (YIL) in Ambajhari, Nagpur. The new facility will help reduce dependence on imports of critical aluminium components. Singh said supply chains can get disrupted when war erupts. "In such a scenario, every nation wants essential items to be manufactured domestically," he said. A nation that fulfils its own needs can march ahead confidently, Singh said. "Conventional warfare and means are still relevant, as they were in 1947," Singh said, adding that they would remain crucial even in 2047. This is why military industrial bases would remain important even in future, he added. Singh noted that India's defence production surged to more than Rs 1,78,
India's annual defence production touched an all-time high of Rs 1.78 lakh crore in the financial year 2025-26, the defence ministry said on Wednesday. The milestone represents a 15.6 per cent growth over the previous fiscal year's output of Rs 1.54 lakh crore and a staggering 110 per cent increase since 2020-21 when the figure was Rs 84,643 crore, it said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the "remarkable rise" in India's defence production in recent years is the result of the collective efforts of the Department of Defence Production and all other stakeholders. "This upward trajectory is a clear indicator of the country's expanding defence industrial base," he said. "With sustained policy support, several new initiatives, increased private sector participation, and growing export capabilities, the defence production sector is poised for continued acceleration in the years ahead," he said.
Asserting that new recruits to the armed forces must be mentally prepared for the evolving nature of modern conflict, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said major powers no longer hold an edge on the battlefield as even smaller nations can inflict significant damage using specialised tactics. Addressing the Combined Graduation Parade at the Indian Air Force Academy near here, Singh also said emerging technologies have altered the very definition of warfare. "Earlier, it seemed that the big powers had a decisive edge in the battlefield. But now, comparatively, even small powers can cause heavy losses with their small but dangerous weapons and new tactics. My purpose in telling you all this is that you should be mentally ready for any form of warfare," the Defence Minister said. Congratulating the female pilots commissioned by the Indian Air Force, he said their induction makes the IAF even more powerful, balanced and robust, which demonstrates the strength of the inclusive
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the establishment of a 250 mega watt solar power project in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur on an approximately 850 acres of vacant defence land. The defence ministry on Tuesday described the project as a "major step" towards promoting renewable energy while ensuring optimum utilisation of vacant defence land. This is the first-of-its-kind project undertaken by the defence ministry involving the development of a large-scale solar power generation facility with integrated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) support on defence land, it said. The ministry said the initiative reflects the government's commitment towards clean energy, sustainability and reduction of dependence on conventional energy sources. "Besides strengthening long-term energy security for the defence forces, the project is expected to substantially reduce expenditure incurred on procurement of conventional grid power for defence establishments, resulting in significant savings t
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that at a time when many countries are facing economic uncertainty, India continues to stand out as the "world's fastest-growing major economy". In a post on X, Rajnath Singh said, "India's economy grew by 7.7 per cent in FY 2025-26, with growth accelerating to 7.8 per cent in the fourth quarter, underscoring its resilience and underlying strength built over the last 12 years through the mantra of Reform, Perform and Transform ." He said, "At a time when many countries are facing economic uncertainty, India continues to stand out as the world's fastest-growing major economy." Singh also said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has combined economic growth with stability, confidence, sustainability and credibility. "His unwavering commitment to nation-building, focus on innovation, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship, and ability to steer the country through unprecedented global challenges have transformed
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that the Indian Navy forced "the entire Pakistan Navy to remain confined to its ports during Operation Sindoor". Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the 'Nausena Shaurya Vatika', an open-air naval museum here, Singh said, "The Navy played a significant role in maintaining pressure on Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. "Our Navy was deployed in the Arabian Sea with full preparedness and strength, maintaining constant pressure on the adversary. As a result, Pakistan's entire Navy remained confined to its ports." Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack, with Indian forces conducting precision strikes on multiple terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. The military conflict was halted after both sides reached an understanding on the evening of May 10. Talking about the opening of the Nausena Shaurya Vatika, which has been designed to showcase the legacy, operational
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said no power can stop India, once considered an importer of weapons, from being the biggest exporter in 25-30 years. After inaugurating an ammunition manufacturing unit at Shirdi, Singh said the target is to take the private sector role in defence production to 50 per cent. "The private sector is not just a supplier of nuts and bolts in defence, but also a producer of state-of-the-art weapons systems," he added. Singh said that when the government's vision and the private sector's innovation align, then the country reaches new heights. "All have to work together to make India the hub of munitions and automation," he added.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday laid the foundation for nearly Rs 16,000 crore AMCA infrastructure here in Sri Sathya Sai district. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project is expected to generate 7,500 jobs, an official release said. "The CM, Defence Minister and Minister Lokesh laid the foundation for Rs 15,803-crore AMCA project," the release added. Along with the AMCA project, Singh and Naidu also laid the foundation for a few more defence and drone city projects. Later, the leaders visited a display of missiles, hand grenades, advanced guns, fighter jet prototype and other defence products, the release said.
Days ahead of the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday described it as a "unique" example of how the Indian military utilised advanced technology to deliver a decisive blow to terror groups and their "patrons". Addressing an event in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, Singh emphasised that while the armed forces "showed patience", they were clinical in destroying terrorist infrastructure. He added that the operation served as a global reminder of the Indian military's capabilities. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 last year in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The operation targeted terror infrastructure in territories controlled by Pakistan. The strikes triggered four days of intense clashes that ended with an understanding on stopping the military actions on May 10. "The decisive response our soldiers gave to the terrorists and their patrons made the entire nation proud. It was a good thing that we showed patience and .
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday described Operation Sindoor as a reflection of the Modi government's "unwavering resolve" to eliminate terrorism through "decisive action". Singh also said the "unmatched valour" of the armed forces during the operation has marked it as a "golden chapter" in India's military history. The defence minister made the remarks while addressing an event named "Shaurya" organised in New Delhi in the run-up to the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 last year in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The operation targeted terror infrastructure in territories controlled by Pakistan. The strikes triggered four days of intense clashes that ended with an understanding on stopping the military actions on May 10. In his remarks, Singh commended the valour, dedication and patriotism of the soldiers, and said their ethos of "nation first and service before self" have defined India's military traditi