Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], June 30 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called upon regional industries to become partners in the Viksit Bharat journey by transforming regional strengths into national capabilities, local innovations into global competitiveness, and industrial growth into strategic strength.
"Viksit Bharat is not merely a goal of economic development, but a resolve to build an economically prosperous, technologically capable, and socially empowered country," he said while calling upon industries.
According to an official release from the Ministry of Defence, Singh was addressing industrialists, entrepreneurs, young innovators and academicians during the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Vadodara.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Minister for Women and Child Development, Government of Gujarat Manisha Vakil were also present.
The Defence Minister emphasised that, in view of the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, India's self-reliance, technological capability, and collective resolve will determine the role it plays on the global stage in the coming decades.
"History teaches us that great nations stand on three essential pillars: economic strength, technological prowess, and national security. Economic prosperity and technological advancement reinforce national security, while a secure nation provides the stability that allows industry and innovation to flourish," he said, while underscoring the need for enhanced collaborations to build a country with secure borders and a robust economy.
Rajnath Singh underlined that the development of the defence sector is not only limited to the manufacturing of weapons and technologies; it catalyses a vast economic ecosystem. He stated that defence corridors generate new opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, industry, and employment, while emphasis on research & development, technology, and innovation strengthens the industrial base. He stressed the need to harness this momentum to further bolster industrial and defence capabilities.
Highlighting the transformation being witnessed in the defence sector over the last decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Defence Minister asserted that there was a time when India relied heavily on imports for its security needs, and now it is rapidly emerging as a key player in manufacturing & exports. He added that the success of indigenous platforms, growing participation of the private sector, and the zeal of innovators & start-ups have collectively contributed to the creation of a robust defence ecosystem in the country.
"Under 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', we are fostering indigenous capabilities in strategic sectors such as aerospace and defence. Initiatives such as Make-in-India, review of the Defence Acquisition Procedure, and the Technology Development Fund are playing a pivotal role in this direction. The budgetary provisions for modernisation and capital procurement aim to encourage domestic industries and integrate them into the global supply chain. To boost investment, we have simplified the licensing process and liberalised the FDI policy. Srijan Portal, iDEX, Defence Testing Infrastructure, Green Channel Certification, and Self-Certification have instilled confidence in small industries and start-ups. Through transparent policies, ease of doing business, mechanisms for technology transfer, testing infrastructure, and collaborative R&D frameworks, we are supporting our industrialists across every sector. Our objective is to build an ecosystem where innovation, industry and self-reliance converge to further bolster the security prowess of New India," said Singh.
Enumerating the milestones achieved due to the Government's efforts, Singh stated that, today, domestic defence production has surged to a record high of Rs 1.78 lakh crore from just Rs 46,000 crore in 2014. He added that the defence exports, which were less than Rs 1,000 crore, have soared to an all-time high of Rs 38,424 crore.
He further clarified that Aatmanirbharta does not mean isolation; it signifies a nation standing firmly on its own feet and engaging with the world as an equal partner. He stated that the Government is encouraging collaborations with foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers, technology transfers and joint ventures to ensure that tangible outcomes are realised on Indian soil, to strengthen indigenous capabilities and benefit the people.
Singh emphasised that Gujarat can play a pivotal role in achieving the goal of self-reliance as the state possesses a robust industrial base, a skilled workforce, and an entrepreneurial spirit. "From advanced manufacturing to cutting-edge research, Gujarat has the potential to become a major hub for defence production and technology," he said, making special mention of the Tata-Airbus Aircraft Complex in Vadodara for manufacturing C-295 transport aircraft.
He added that the K-9 Vajra, one of the world's most advanced self-propelled artillery platforms boosting the Indian Army's strike capability, is being manufactured in Gujarat.
Pointing out that the warfare and economy of the future will be driven by chips, Singh expressed confidence that the semiconductor ecosystem being developed in Sanand and Dholera will serve as a cornerstone of India's technological sovereignty. "From artificial intelligence to quantum computing, and from cybersecurity to space technology, this ecosystem in Gujarat will strengthen us across every sector," he said.
Rajnath Singh added that Gujarat's industrial strengths can be directly aligned with the needs of the defence sector as the state's strong base in chemicals and petrochemicals can prove to be invaluable in areas such as advanced materials, composites & propellants.
"The local electronics industry can make significant contributions to avionics, sensors, and communication systems. Furthermore, the state's port and shipbuilding capabilities can strengthen naval systems & maritime security. Its leadership in sectors such as renewable energy and green hydrogen can pave the way for future defence technologies as well. The state possesses the complete ecosystem required for a defence manufacturing hub. I am confident that the youth and entrepreneurs of Gujarat will strive to achieve this endeavour," he said.
As part of the event, the Defence Minister also interacted with private industry representatives and academia during a seminar on Defence & Aerospace industries. He acknowledged their efforts towards strengthening the defence manufacturing ecosystem and reiterated the Government's commitment to creating a more conducive environment, enabling them to contribute even more to India's development journey.
Singh also visited an exhibition featuring stalls from industry, MSMEs, start-ups, the automobile sector, international business, handicrafts, women artisans, tribal products, heavy industries, mobility innovations, exports, and entrepreneurship.