GujaratRaksha Mantri Rajnath Singh called on regional industries to play a greater role in building a self-reliant and globally competitive defence ecosystem while addressing the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Vadodara. He emphasised that India's long-term strategic strength will depend on transforming regional industrial capabilities into national defence and aerospace leadership.
Highlighting the government's push for indigenous manufacturing, he noted that initiatives such as Make in India, iDEX, the Technology Development Fund, simplified licensing, liberalised FDI norms, and defence acquisition reforms are strengthening domestic defence production and encouraging greater participation from private industry, MSMEs, and start-ups.
The Defence Minister pointed to the rapid growth of India's defence sector, with domestic production reaching record levels and exports expanding significantly over the past decade. He reiterated that self-reliance is aimed at strengthening indigenous capabilities while continuing global partnerships through technology transfer, joint ventures, and collaboration with international defence companies.
He also highlighted Gujarat's growing importance in India's defence and aerospace ecosystem, citing projects such as the Tata-Airbus C-295 aircraft manufacturing facility, K-9 Vajra artillery production, and the state's expanding semiconductor, electronics, shipbuilding, and advanced manufacturing capabilities. According to the Minister, these strengths position Gujarat as a key hub for future defence technologies, aerospace manufacturing, and strategic industrial growth. rephrase the above in a precise manner by highlighting the points in relevance to defence.On Date: