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As it increasingly focuses on increasing self-reliance to confront national security challenges, India purchased military hardware and weapons valued at Rs 1,20,000 crore from domestic sources by the end of 2024–2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Tuesday, while speaking at the 'Opportunities in Defence Manufacturing in the Country' conference.

Singh reaffirmed that the Central government is well aware of how the battlefield is evolving, particularly the significance of non-contact warfare like the use of drones, and is preparing the forces and advancing the tech accordingly.

 

He underlined the importance of enhancing India's own defence industries to meet myriad security challenges.

 

"In 2021-22, our capital acquisition from domestic sources was around Rs 74,000 crore, but by the end of 2024-25, the capital acquisition from domestic sources had increased to approximately Rs 1,20,000 crore. This change is not just about data, but also about mindset," he said.

 

The defence minister said the Modi government has taken several policy initiatives in the last 10 years to encourage indigenous design, development, and manufacturing of defence equipment in the country.

 

 

Under these initiatives, the highest priority is now being given to domestic sourcing in the procurement of military hardware, he noted.

 

"The government of India is fully aware of the changing nature of modern warfare. Today's warfare has become completely technology-oriented. We have seen a demonstration of this in Operation Sindoor as well," he said.

 

"In this, we observed that the importance of non-contact warfare, such as drones, anti-drone warfare, and air-defense systems, has significantly increased," he said.

 

The defence minister then also listed goals in the defence sector to realise India's overall aim to become a developed country by 2047.

 

"First, we must achieve a high degree of self-reliance in the critical defence capabilities. Second, we must become a prominent global exporter in the defence sector. Third, to take India forward in cutting-edge technology sectors, we must achieve advancements in some new niche technologies," he said.