India is poised on the threshold of a transformative journey in defence and national security. At the recently held Defence Conclave in New Delhi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh articulated a bold and ambitious vision — to make India a developed nation and the world’s foremost military power. This is not mere rhetoric, but a projection of the extraordinary progress already visible in the country’s defence sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India’s defence journey has moved from dependence to dominance. Defence production, which stood at ₹40,000 crore in 2014, has crossed ₹1.27 lakh crore and is expected to touch ₹1.60 lakh crore in 2025. The defence export figures have also surged from a modest ₹686 crore in 2013-14 to ₹23,622 crore in 2024-25, with defence products reaching nearly 100 countries. Such data not only reflect economic strides but also India’s growing credibility and reliability in the global arms market.
At the heart of this growth story lies the government’s unflinching focus on self-reliance, reflected through Make in India, positive indigenisation lists, and the reservation of 75% of the capital procurement budget for domestic companies
However, India’s march is not just about military might. As Rajnath Singh underlined, defence capabilities serve as a credible deterrent, ensuring peace and stability in a volatile geopolitical landscape. In a world grappling with cyber threats, perception warfare, and space-based conflicts, India’s thrust on holistic capacity building, AI, drones, cyber-defence, and missile technologies is not just timely—it is essential.
Of particular note is the government’s strategic backing of startups and innovation. With schemes like iDEX, iDEX Prime, and ADITI, the defence ecosystem is being opened up to youth-led innovations and MSMEs, ensuring that India’s technological progress is both inclusive and forward-looking. The approval of over ₹2,400 crore in defence purchases from startups and MSMEs is a testament to this vision. Equally commendable is India’s growing stature in shipbuilding and aerospace, with more than 97% of Indian Navy and Coast Guard ships now built in domestic yards and many being exported to friendly nations.
Yet, amid this optimism, challenges remain. Strategic autonomy must be balanced with speed and scale. Public-private collaboration needs stronger frameworks. And bureaucratic delays in procurement and R&D must be ironed out.
India’s defence ascent is no longer just about protecting borders—it is about reshaping the country’s identity as a global defence powerhouse. As 2025 is declared the ‘Year of Reforms’ in defence, the country has a historic opportunity to align national security with technological excellence, industrial growth, and global diplomacy.
India’s dream of becoming the number one military power is no longer distant—it is being forged in its factories, designed in its start-ups, and led by its fearless reforms. The march is steady, strategic, and self-reliant. The world is watching.