Defence Minister

Conventional warfare remains relevant even today as it was in 1947: Rajnath

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,

Emerging tech has altered definition of warfare: Defence Min Rajnath Singh

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

India remains world's fastest-growing major economy: Rajnath Singh

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

Stopped Op Sindoor voluntarily, were ready for long war: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister lauded the "zero tolerance policy." He also noted that India did not fall for the "bluff" of a nuclear attack

Hormuz disruptions have direct implications for India: Rajnath Singh

In the backdrop of the ongoing West Asian conflict, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are not distant events, they are stark realities with direct implications for India's security and economic stability. Addressing the German Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence and Security on day one of his three-day visit to the country, he also asserted that the world today is faced with new security threats, and the technological transformation has made the situation highly complex and intricately connected. A new approach with the willingness to adapt to the changing environment is the need of the hour, the minister said. Singh also made a strong pitch for enhanced collaboration between the defence industrial ecosystems of India and Germany. His visit to Germany also comes amid the West Asia conflict that has stretched for over 50 days, with global ramifications. "For a developing country like India, which relies on the West Asian regi

Speed up next-gen aero engine development: Rajnath Singh to scientists

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday called for expediting the development of next-generation aero engines, saying the country was running short of time. Noting that even developed nations typically take 25-30 years to develop next-generation engines, he urged Indian scientists to compress timelines in view of the nation's strategic needs. "We must assume that 20 years have already passed and we now have only 5-7 years left," Singh said, describing it as a call to action aligned with national aspirations. According to an official statement, the Union Minister visited Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in Bengaluru, and reviewed the status of ongoing projects relating to indigenous military gas turbine engine development. He was briefed on the establishment's projects on the anvil, interactions with the Indian Industry, academia and R&D institutes, and the support provided to the defence forces. He also visited the .

Armed forces likely to see big-ticket approvals at DAC meet on Thursday

The DAC may consider a ₹2.7 trillion Rafale deal, Scalp missiles and other key Army, Navy and Air Force acquisitions at today's meeting

During Op Sindoor, we followed Lord Krishna's message: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that during Operation Sindoor, India's action was guided by the message which Lord Krishna gave to the Pandavas that war should not be fought for revenge or ambition but for the establishment of righteous rule. "Lord Krishna also taught Arjun that a person who follows the path of righteousness is never afraid," said the defence minister after inaugurating the 10th International Gita conference in Kurukshetra, Haryana. Referring to the Pahalgam terror incident in April, Singh said the ghastly act still disturbs the national consciousness. The terrorists committed a dastardly and inhuman act when the innocent tourists were killed after they were asked about their religion, he said. "I believe that that incident was not only challenging the peace-loving nature of India; the terrorists and their patrons had assumed that India's decency was its weakness, but they forgot that India is the country of the Gita, where there is compassion and also

Rajnath Singh stresses collective security at Asean defence conclave

India believes Indo-Pacific should remain open, inclusive, and free from any form of coercion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday against the backdrop of mounting global concerns over China's aggressive military posturing in the region. In an address at a conclave of defence ministers of ASEAN member states and the bloc's dialogue partners in Kuala Lumpur, Singh pitched for an approach of "collective security" to ensure the sovereignty of every nation in the region. The defence minister said India's emphasis on adherence to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and support for freedom of navigation and overflight is not against any country but to protect the interests of all regional stakeholders. His remarks came amid consistent demands by several ASEAN member states as well as democratic nations for adherence to UNCLOS in the face of Beijing's increasing military muscle flexing in the contested South China Sea. In his speech at the ASEAN Defence Ministers'

New crimes, terrorism, and ideological wars emerging in society: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said while there is instability on the borders, new types of crime, terrorism and ideological wars are emerging within society. Laying a wreath at the National Police Memorial here on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day, Singh also said that the military and police function on different platforms, but their mission is the same -- to protect the nation. To have a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the minister said, balancing the external and internal security of the nation is more important than ever. A joint parade of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Delhi Police was held as part of the event. On the present-day challenges, the defence minister said while there is instability on the borders, new types of crime, terrorism and ideological wars are emerging within society. Crime has become more organised, invisible and complex, and its purpose is to create chaos in society, undermine trust and challenge the stability of the nation, he ...

Our aim is to take domestic defence production to 100 per cent: Rajnath

India is looking at taking domestic defence production to 100 per cent as dependence on foreign military supplies creates "strategic vulnerability", Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday. Singh said this after inaugurating a third production line of Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk1A and a second manufacturing facility of trainer jet HTT-40. With opening of the new facility for Tejas jets, the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is expected to produce at least 24 LCA aircraft. "There was a time when the country was dependent on other countries to meet its defence needs, and almost 65-70 percent of defence equipment was imported," Singh said in his address "But today, this situation has changed; now India is doing 65 per cent manufacturing on its own soil," he said. "Very soon, we will take our domestic manufacturing to 100 per cent as well," he said. Singh said India's defence export has reached a record Rs 25,000 crore which was less than Rs 1,000 crore few years ago. "

India stands firm in upholding international rules-based order: Rajnath

The Union Minister said that thousands of Indians are committed to the idea of peacekeeping under the UN flag since it remains an article of faith and not merely an act of choice

Rajnath, Australian dy PM discuss boosting defence industry partnership

The leaders reviewed the full spectrum of India-Australia defence cooperation, including defence industry, cyber defence, maritime security and regional challenges

Rajnath calls for integrated, standardised system to counter info warfare

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stressed sustained dialogue to build a modern, capable, standardised system useful for all armed services

Armed forces must be prepared for longer conflicts, says Rajnath Singh

India's armed forces must be prepared for all kinds of security challenges including short-duration conflicts to even a five-year war in view of an unpredictable geopolitical environment, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday. In an address at the 'Ran Samvad' at the Army War College here, Singh said India does not want anyone's land, but it is ready to go to any extent to protect its territorial integrity. "In today's era, wars have become so sudden and unpredictable that it is very difficult to predict when any war will end and how long it will last," Singh said. The Indian military must be prepared for every situation, he said. "That is, if any war stretches for two months, four months, a year, two years, even five years, then we should be fully prepared for it," he said. Singh said national security is no longer a matter of the military, but has become an issue of a "whole-of-nation approach". "We do not want anyone's land, but we are ready to go to any extent to .

Turkish FM, defence minister to meet Pak PM, look to boost defence ties

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defence Minister Yasir Guler are in Pakistan to hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on issues of mutual interest, including defence industry cooperation. The two arrived here on Wednesday on an official visit. Radio Pakistan reported that during their official engagements, important issues of mutual interest will be discussed. The visit reflects the close and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, rooted in shared history, culture, and mutual trust, it reported. Sources said that among other engagements, the two would also hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on bilateral ties, regional issues, and defence industry cooperation. Turkiye has strong ties with Pakistan and expressed solidarity with it during the military conflict with India in May, which angered India but Istanbul has continued efforts to bolster ties with Islamabad.

Rajnath Singh, Hegseth discuss boosting Indo-US defence industry ties

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday spoke to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and appreciated the "unwavering support" the US extended to India in its fight against terrorism. In their phone conversation, Singh and Hegseth discussed a wide range of issues -- from long-term cooperation in the defence sector, including training and military exchanges, to expanding industry collaborations. "Excellent discussion to review the ongoing and new initiatives to further deepen India-US defence partnership and strengthen cooperation in capacity building," Singh said in a social media post. "Conveyed my deep appreciation for the unwavering support extended by the US to India in its fight against terrorism. Looking forward to meet him at an early date," he said. The defence ministry said Singh and Hegseth agreed to further build upon the momentum of the "critical and mutually beneficial" partnership across all its pillars. "The two leaders discussed a wide canvas of issues ranging from

Rajnath Singh stresses border management to Chinese counterpart at SCO meet

Rajnath Singh tells China a structured and permanent engagement is key to resolving border issues, while also flagging the Pahalgam attack at the SCO defence ministers' meet

SCO meet | India hands China a 4-step plan to avoid disputes: What did the talks entail?

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet in Qingdao, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his Chinese counterpart and pitched a four-pronged formula to ease border tensions and stabilise

'One country didn't want terror reference': Jaishankar on SCO communique

Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the main purpose of the SCO is to fight against terrorism, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was right not to accept the joint communique