Rajnath Singh Calls for Strong Defence Preparedness to Safeguard Peace
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasised that peace cannot be sustained simply through the fear of war and that nations must maintain credible defence capabilities to protect their sovereignty and security. Speaking at DefCon 2026 in New Delhi, Singh said India does not favour war but must remain prepared to respond to threats when necessary.
“A peace which comes from fear of war is condemnable; a war that is fought for peace is essential,” Singh said, underlining the importance of balancing diplomatic engagement with military preparedness. He said India's approach combines diplomacy, defence capabilities and technological development as the country responds to an evolving security environment.
Strengthening Indigenous Defence Capabilities
A key focus of Singh's address was India's growing emphasis on self-reliance in defence manufacturing and technology. He said defence research and development expenditure had crossed ₹29,000 crore, with 25% of the allocation being directed towards industry and academia. The move is aimed at bringing private companies, start-ups and research institutions more deeply into the development of advanced defence technologies.
India's defence R&D allocation has increased from ₹13,716.14 crore in 2014-15 to ₹29,100.25 crore in 2026-27, according to the Ministry of Defence. The government has also expanded access to defence testing infrastructure for domestic manufacturers and start-ups, supporting the development and faster adoption of indigenous technologies.
Singh also highlighted the development of indigenous artificial intelligence-based systems for defence. AI, drones, cyber capabilities, electronic warfare, space technology and other emerging technologies are increasingly becoming important components of modern military preparedness.
Defence Production Reaches Record Levels
The emphasis on domestic manufacturing comes as India's defence production has reached record levels. According to the Ministry of Defence, annual defence production rose to ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, registering a 15.6% increase over the previous year's ₹1.54 lakh crore. Production has increased substantially from ₹43,746 crore in 2013-14.
The private sector is also playing a growing role in the defence ecosystem. It accounted for around 24% of total defence production in 2025-26, with its contribution reaching approximately ₹42,000 crore. Defence exports also reached a record ₹38,424 crore during the year, with Indian defence products being exported to more than 80 countries.
These developments indicate a broader expansion of India's defence industrial base, involving public-sector organisations, private companies, MSMEs, start-ups and research institutions.
Indigenisation and Future-Ready Technology
Singh said 5,522 items had been included in the Positive Indigenisation List, with the objective of ensuring that these items are manufactured domestically. The policy is intended to reduce dependence on overseas suppliers while creating greater opportunities for Indian manufacturers and technology developers.
The government's broader indigenisation programme has also expanded the participation of domestic industry. The Ministry of Defence has reported that thousands of defence items have been indigenised in recent years, while domestic orders placed by defence public-sector undertakings have created additional opportunities for MSMEs and start-ups.
Alongside manufacturing, the focus is increasingly shifting towards next-generation capabilities. Singh highlighted the importance of what he described as the three Ts — terrain, technology and thinking — while noting that cyberspace has become an important new operational domain.
Security Challenges Beyond Traditional Borders
Singh also cautioned against viewing national security only through the traditional concept of geographical borders. Modern threats can involve drones and unmanned systems, cyberattacks, electronic warfare and disinformation alongside conventional military challenges.
The Defence Minister described this as a “perimeter fallacy”, arguing that while national borders remain fixed, the nature and reach of threats can change rapidly. The Indian Express reported that Singh highlighted capabilities being developed in areas such as drones, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, electronic warfare, space and quantum technology.
This changing security environment is making technological preparedness an increasingly important part of defence planning. It also requires closer cooperation between the armed forces, technology companies, researchers and domestic manufacturers.
Balancing Diplomacy With Defence Preparedness
Singh stressed that military strength and diplomacy should work alongside each other. He said India needs to maintain a balance between diplomatic engagement and armed preparedness, while describing soft power and hard power as complementary elements of national strategy.
Referring to India's recent security experience, Singh cited Operation Sindoor and earlier military operations while discussing the country's evolving approach to deterrence. He also highlighted India's expanding engagement through international groupings and partnerships, reflecting the role of diplomacy alongside defence capabilities.
Building a Stronger Defence Ecosystem
India's defence modernisation is increasingly extending beyond the acquisition of military platforms. Greater emphasis is being placed on domestic research, advanced technologies, private-sector participation, indigenous manufacturing and faster integration of new capabilities into the armed forces.
Recent reforms have also sought to accelerate defence research and procurement. In June 2026, the Ministry of Defence announced revised financial powers for DRDO intended to speed up strategic research projects and strengthen cooperation between the defence R&D ecosystem, industry and academia.
The combination of higher production, expanding exports, increased R&D spending and wider industry participation is gradually creating a broader domestic defence ecosystem capable of supporting both present requirements and future technologies.
The MGMM Outlook
Rajnath Singh’s address at DefCon 2026 highlights that India’s commitment to peace is strengthened by credible defence preparedness, technological advancement and strategic capability. The rising allocation for defence R&D, greater participation of private companies, start-ups and academia, and the growing focus on indigenous manufacturing reflect a broader effort to build a stronger and more self-reliant defence ecosystem. Record defence production and exports further demonstrate the expanding role of Indian industry in meeting national security requirements while developing capabilities for emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, drones, cybersecurity, electronic warfare and space technology.
The changing nature of security threats also makes continuous innovation and preparedness increasingly important. India’s approach of combining diplomatic engagement with military capability, while strengthening domestic research and manufacturing, provides a broader foundation for safeguarding national security and maintaining strategic readiness. The progress in defence production, exports, indigenisation and R&D shows how technological development and wider industry participation are becoming central to India's future defence capabilities.
(Sources: Moneycontrol, Indian Express, Firstpost)
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