Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday underscored the importance of self-reliance in defence and maritime capabilities, saying India must strengthen indigenous production to remain prepared in an increasingly uncertain global environment. Speaking at the maritime dialogue “Sagar Sankalp – Reclaiming India’s Maritime Glory,” organised by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) in Kolkata, Singh said shifting geopolitical dynamics and supply chain disruptions are reshaping the international order.

Addressing senior naval officers, policymakers and industry representatives at the conclave, Singh noted that the traditional global order is undergoing rapid transformation. He pointed to instability in regions such as the Middle East and critical trade corridors like the Strait of Hormuz as factors affecting global commerce and energy security. According to the Defence Minister, such uncertainties are increasingly becoming the “new normal,” making it imperative for India to build resilient domestic capabilities in strategic sectors.

Singh highlighted the rapid technological changes shaping modern defence systems and said India must achieve self-reliance in critical technologies to stay prepared for future security challenges. He said policy reforms introduced by the government have already boosted domestic defence manufacturing. According to him, India’s defence production crossed ₹1.5 lakh crore in the financial year 2024–25, while defence exports reached a record level of around ₹24,000 crore.

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The minister added that defence exports are expected to rise further to about ₹29,000 crore by April 2026, with the government targeting ₹50,000 crore in exports by the financial year 2029–30. Singh also pointed out that the private sector currently contributes nearly 25 per cent of defence platforms and equipment manufactured in the country, a share expected to increase to about 50 per cent in the coming years as industry participation expands.

Emphasising India’s progress toward building what he described as a “Builder’s Navy,” Singh said all warships and submarines currently on order for the Indian Navy are being constructed in domestic shipyards. The government, he said, is working to transform shipyards into advanced technology hubs by upgrading infrastructure, introducing digital ship design tools, adopting modular construction techniques and strengthening integrated supply chains.

Singh also highlighted the government’s broader maritime development strategy under initiatives such as Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aim to invest nearly ₹3 lakh crore in developing world-class shipbuilding clusters and strengthening the domestic maritime ecosystem. Reaffirming the government’s long-term ambition, he said India aims to rank among the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and enter the top five globally by 2047, with support from MSMEs, start-ups and indigenous suppliers playing a key role in the sector’s growth.

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