India Enters Decisive Phase in Defence Transformation: Dr Jitendra Singh

Underscoring the scale of transformation, Dr. Singh revealed that India’s defence production has reached ₹1.54 lakh crore, marking a remarkable 174% growth over the past decade.

In a powerful articulation of India's evolving defence landscape, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday declared that the country has entered a "decisive phase" in its defence journey, driven by rapid technological advancement, indigenous innovation, and an increasingly influential private sector.

Addressing the North Tech Symposium 2026 in Prayagraj, the Minister highlighted how India is transitioning from a traditional defence posture to a technology-led, future-ready military ecosystem, positioning itself as a rising global force in defence manufacturing and innovation.

From Importer to Exporter: A Decade of Transformation

Underscoring the scale of transformation, Dr. Singh revealed that India's defence production has reached ₹1.54 lakh crore, marking a remarkable 174% growth over the past decade. Even more striking is the surge in exports, which have climbed to ₹23,622 crore—recording a 34-fold increase during the same period.

This shift signifies India's emergence from one of the world's largest defence importers to a credible exporter of advanced defence systems, supplying equipment to dozens of countries.

A key driver of this growth has been the private sector, which contributed approximately ₹15,000 crore to total defence exports, reflecting a major structural shift toward collaborative and diversified manufacturing.

Technology Redefining Modern Warfare

Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that warfare is no longer defined by troop strength alone but increasingly shaped by advanced technologies, real-time data systems, and automated platforms.

"Modern warfare is technology-driven," he said, noting that the integration of artificial intelligence, robotics, and electronic warfare systems has significantly enhanced India's operational capabilities and global standing.

He highlighted that cutting-edge domains such as space technology, atomic energy, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies are now integral to national defence preparedness. Notably, India has already made rapid progress in quantum-secure communication, a breakthrough capability expected to play a decisive role in future battlefield communication systems.

Strong Government Backing and Record Budget Allocation

Reinforcing its commitment to defence modernization, the Government has allocated ₹6.81 lakh crore in the Union Budget 2026–27, marking a 9.5% increase over the previous year. This sustained investment is aimed at accelerating indigenous production, strengthening infrastructure, and supporting research and innovation.

Dr. Singh pointed out that a series of reforms in defence and allied sectors have opened new avenues for industry participation, enabling faster innovation cycles and scaling up of indigenous technologies.

Building a Collaborative Defence Ecosystem

The Minister stressed that the future of India's defence capability lies in deep synergy between the Armed Forces, scientific institutions, and industry. Aligning operational requirements with research and manufacturing capabilities, he said, is essential for building a resilient and self-reliant defence ecosystem.

He called for shorter timelines from design to deployment, with a focus on reliability, scalability, and long-term sustainment—key factors in maintaining a competitive edge in rapidly evolving security environments.

Armed Forces: Beyond Security to Humanitarian Leadership

Highlighting the broader role of the Armed Forces, Dr. Singh noted their critical contributions not only in safeguarding national security but also in disaster response and humanitarian assistance. He cited recent operations where timely military intervention saved lives, reinforcing the forces' role as a pillar of national resilience.

North Tech Symposium 2026: A Convergence of Innovation

The North Tech Symposium 2026, being held from May 4 to 6 in Prayagraj, serves as a premier platform for collaboration among the Armed Forces, industry, academia, and start-ups. The event is jointly organised by the Indian Army's Northern and Central Commands in partnership with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).

The symposium, themed "Raksha Triveni Sangam – Where Technology, Industry and Soldiering Converge," showcases the future of defence innovation with participation from over 280 industry partners and 284 exhibition stalls.

Key focus areas include:

• Artificial Intelligence and machine learning

• Unmanned systems and drone technologies

• Counter-drone and electronic warfare systems

• Robotics and automation

• Advanced communication systems

• Mobility platforms and high-altitude operational technologies

Live demonstrations, one-on-one industry interactions, and technical sessions are facilitating real-time collaboration and accelerating the development of mission-oriented indigenous solutions.

Towards Technological Sovereignty and Global Leadership

Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that India's pursuit of Aatmanirbharta in defence is rooted in achieving technological sovereignty—the ability to develop, own, and sustain critical technologies domestically.

He expressed confidence that the collaborative momentum generated through initiatives like the North Tech Symposium will significantly enhance India's defence preparedness and position the country as a leading global hub for defence technology and innovation.

As India continues to integrate advanced technologies with industrial capability and military expertise, the country is steadily redefining its global defence identity—moving from dependence to dominance in key strategic domains.