Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has underscored the critical role of innovation and advanced technology in modern warfare, asserting that the battles of today are increasingly fought through data and algorithms rather than just on the battlefield. Speaking at the inauguration of the National Conference at Vigyan Bhawan, Singh emphasised the need for intellectual investment in frontier technologies over physical assets to maintain a competitive edge in the evolving defence landscape.
“We have to try to fill the technological gaps with indigenous solutions and provide solutions to our young innovators and start-ups, where there is a need for high-end technology. We will be able to build a New India only when we move forward with traditional strength and modern innovation,” he said.
Singh reiterated that the nation’s protection is a collective responsibility, not just the government’s. He highlighted the collaborative efforts seen during Operation Sindoor, where state governments and agencies actively participated in a mock drill, demonstrating that collective action can overcome any challenge.
The Defence Minister praised the contributions of innovators, noting that their efforts have led to record-breaking achievements in defence production, worth Rs. 1.5 lakh crore, and exports exceeding Rs 23,000 crore in the last financial year. “You are the architects of a new India that believes in designing, developing and producing for itself. The energy and innovation you bring are key to realising the Prime Minister’s vision of a technologically self-reliant India,” he stated.
To foster this ecosystem, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is forming strategic alliances with the Department of Science and Technology, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, and leading financial institutions. Singh explained that the goal is to create an environment where every idea can grow into a viable product, every prototype can scale into production, and every innovation can contribute to India’s defence preparedness.
He also highlighted that defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative has become one of the most promising sectors for private investment, R&D, and employment generation. A strong indigenous defence industry, he argued, is not only a strategic necessity but also an economic multiplier.
Singh affirmed that India’s defence innovation journey is steadily progressing from concept to creation and from vision to victory. He envisioned a future where India becomes not only self-reliant but a global leader in defence technology, with its startup ecosystem playing a decisive role in shaping a secure and self-reliant future.