Defence Production Soars; AMCA Model Boosts Private Participation: Raksha Mantri at CII Summit
Delhi : At the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit held in New Delhi, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the pivotal role of the Make-in-India initiative in strengthening India’s national security, notably during Operation Sindoor, and announced bold steps under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme to deepen private sector participation in defence production.
Calling the AMCA Execution Model a landmark decision, Shri Singh said the programme to build indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft marks a major leap forward for the Indian aerospace sector. Under the AMCA plan, five prototypes will be developed before moving into large-scale production, offering an unprecedented opportunity for private players to join public sector defence projects.
Operation Sindoor & Indigenous Power
The Raksha Mantri credited the success of Operation Sindoor—India’s strategic operation targeting terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK—to indigenous capabilities enabled by Make-in-India. He noted that Indian Armed Forces neutralized key terror and military targets across the border, emphasizing, “We could have done a lot more, but we showcased coordination of power and restraint.”
He underlined a firm message to Pakistan: “India has redefined its approach to terrorism. Talks, if any, will now only be on terrorism and PoK.” He affirmed that PoK remains an integral part of India, asserting it will “voluntarily return” to the Indian mainstream, as envisioned under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat resolve.
Record-Breaking Defence Production & Exports
Shri Rajnath Singh shared that India’s annual defence production has surged to an all-time high of ₹1,46,000 crore, with private sector contributing ₹32,000 crore. Defence exports also hit a new peak at over ₹24,000 crore, compared to ₹600-700 crore a decade ago. Indian defence equipment now reaches over 100 countries, he said, with 16,000+ MSMEs forming the backbone of the domestic supply chain and employment ecosystem.
India as a Global Defence Tech Leader
Highlighting India’s transformation from a defence technology consumer to a global exporter, the minister said, “Today, the world approaches us for high-end defence systems—not just as a market but out of respect for our capability.” India’s growing strength in AI, Cyber Defence, Unmanned Systems, and Space-Based Security has placed it on the global innovation map.
Call for Industry-Govt Synergy
He urged industry leaders to align business goals with national priorities, stating, “If securing company interests is your karma, safeguarding national interests is your dharma.” Shri Singh reiterated that trust and synergy between government and industry will be essential to realize the vision of a developed India by 2047.
National Strength Redefined
The Raksha Mantri concluded by redefining what constitutes national strength in modern times—not just GDP or exports, but the trust and confidence a nation commands globally. “Our today is secure, and our tomorrow is safe,” he affirmed.
Dignitaries in Attendance
The event was attended by top defence officials including Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat, and CII President Sanjiv Puri, among other senior military and industry representatives.
