Defence production rises nearly four-fold to ₹1.78 lakh crore, says Rajnath Singh

Defence production in India has grown nearly four times over the past decade, reaching ₹1.78 lakh crore in the fiscal year ending March 2026, according to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Speaking on the eve of India's 80th Independence Day on August 14, 2026, Singh outlined the progress made in transforming the country into a global defence manufacturing hub. He credited this growth to policies such as Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, which have driven both domestic production and exports. Singh noted that India's domestic defence output had risen sharply since 2014, when it stood at ₹46,000 crore. By 2025-26, the figure had climbed to ₹1.78 lakh crore, representing a near four-fold increase. Public sector enterprises accounted for approximately 76% of this production, while the private sector's contribution grew to 24%. This shift reflects broader efforts to diversify and expand the industrial base supporting national security. In addition to rising production, India's defence exports have seen a dramatic surge. In 2013-14, exports were valued at ₹686 crore, but by 2025-26, they reached ₹38,424 crore, a jump of over 5,500%. The country now boasts 145 registered defence exporters supplying goods to more than 80 nations. Singh expressed confidence that India would meet its target of exporting ₹50,000 crore worth of defence equipment by 2029. The expansion of the defence industry has been supported by substantial increases in funding. The defence budget has grown from ₹2.53 lakh crore in 2013-14 to ₹7.85 lakh crore in 2026-27. Capital expenditure has also risen significantly, reaching ₹2.19 lakh crore. Research and development spending has increased by 90%, reaching ₹29,100 crore, reflecting a commitment to innovation and self-reliance. Recent developments include the approval of projects worth over ₹8.75 lakh crore by the Defence Acquisition Council. These approvals come alongside procurement reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency and promoting indigenous manufacturing. Field commanders have been given doubled financial authority, enabling faster decision-making. Additionally, over ₹1.25 lakh crore in procurement has been facilitated through the revenue route, reducing reliance on external financing. Technological advancements have marked key milestones in India's military capabilities. Trials of advanced systems such as the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation system and the MIRV-equipped Advanced Agni missile highlight progress in strategic weaponry. Other developments include tests of the Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile, RudraM-II, Naval Anti-Ship Missile-SR, and the Pinaka Long-Range Guided Rocket. Notably, India successfully tested an active-cooled full-scale scramjet combustor for over 1,200 seconds, placing the country among a select group working on hypersonic missile technology. The indigenous Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile also achieved its first successful trial. Beyond military hardware, the government has focused on improving infrastructure along borders and ensuring the welfare of both active and retired service members. Efforts to increase female participation in the armed forces have included the training of the first batch of women cadets at the National Defence Academy and the completion of the tri-service all-women circumnavigation expedition, Samudra Pradakshina. As 2026 marks 150 years since the adoption of “Vande Mataram,” Singh encouraged citizens to observe Independence Day with patriotic fervour and dedication to the vision of a developed India. His remarks underscored the government's emphasis on leveraging historical milestones to drive forward national aspirations.