Rajnath Singh Stresses Defence Self-Reliance To Strengthen India’s Military Capabilities

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday stressed the importance of self-reliance in defence and outlined a roadmap for India to emerge as a global shipbuilding hub. Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for five brownfield expansion projects of Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd and Yantra India Ltd (YIL) in Kolkata, Singh linked indigenous defence production with stronger military capabilities and industrial growth.

Singh said ‘Atmanirbharta’ in defence acts as a multiplier for battlefield capabilities and referred to the successful use of indigenous weapons and systems during Operation Sindoor. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the objective of making India fully self-reliant in defence as the country moves towards the goal of becoming a developed nation. Singh said GRSE and YIL are contributing to this objective through domestic production of ships, components and materials.

Highlighting GRSE's shipbuilding capabilities, Singh said the Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels being constructed by the company will have nearly 80 per cent indigenous content. He also pointed to YIL's Metal and Steel Factory, which manufactures components for weapon systems along with steel and aluminium products. According to Singh, strengthening domestic manufacturing of such materials and components will help reduce dependence on external suppliers and support the wider defence production ecosystem.

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Singh also outlined the challenges and opportunities in the global shipbuilding sector, noting that the design-to-delivery cycle can extend to five to 10 years for warships and 15 to 20 years for large commercial vessels. He stressed the need to incorporate technological developments during the construction process so that ships remain advanced when delivered. Singh also identified a global opportunity for India to expand shipbuilding and establish maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities, describing the MRO segment as a relatively low-investment opportunity with potential for strong returns.

The Defence Minister urged private industry to increase participation in the supply of quality spares and components needed by shipbuilders such as GRSE. He assured shipyards of government support and encouraged companies to participate in the sector even if initial profit margins remain modest, arguing that higher volumes could compensate over time. Singh also noted that GRSE's expansion would strengthen its ability to compete for future Navy projects, including the proposed Next Generation Destroyers.

The five brownfield projects involve an investment of Rs 3,420 crore and are expected to support employment and industrial development in West Bengal. Singh expressed hope for an industrial renaissance in the state and pointed to recent land allocation for Border Security Force infrastructure as an example of changing conditions. He said the expansion of defence manufacturing and shipbuilding could create wider economic opportunities while strengthening India's strategic capabilities and self-reliance.

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