In a stirring speech at the National Defence Industries Conclave in New Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh painted a clear picture of future battlefields dominated by drones. Drawing lessons from ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, he underscored how unmanned systems and their countermeasures are reshaping warfare.
India cannot afford dependency, Singh asserted. A complete homegrown drone ecosystem is essential, covering everything from core components to final assembly. The reliance on Chinese parts in global supply chains makes this a tough but critical goal.
The event focuses on empowering private players and MSMEs to drive defense manufacturing. Singh invited industry leaders, startups, and innovators to join hands with the government. With policy backing and collaborative efforts, India can emerge as the world’s drone production powerhouse by 2030.
He highlighted the ecosystem’s pillars: large corporations, small businesses, creative minds, and proactive policies. Small ideas often spark big changes, he reminded, urging persistence.
India’s manufacturing sector holds immense promise, contributing significantly to GDP. Post-2014 reforms, like Udyam Assist Portal, have boosted MSMEs, growing their count from 4.67 crore to 8 crore.
Tangible achievements—58 prototype approvals (Rs 3,853 crore) and 45 contracts (Rs 2,326 crore)—demonstrate innovation’s momentum. ‘This is our national responsibility,’ Singh concluded, calling for unified action to secure strategic autonomy.