The Government is focusing on long-term gains and not short-term outcomes to make India a developed nation by 2047,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at a Defence Summit organized by a private media organization in New Delhi on February 24, 2024. He emphasized the significance of prioritizing long-termism and sustained progress, distinguishing the current administration’s approach from previous ones.
Singh highlighted the implementation of policies aimed at achieving long-term objectives, particularly in the defence sector. “Unlike in the past, the present Government has formulated and implemented policies which not only provide short-term gains for just five years,” he stated. He enumerated the reforms undertaken in the defence sector for long-term gains in the last few years, including the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff and the setting up of the Department of Military Affairs which has enhanced jointness, synergy, and smooth coordination among the three Services.
Moreover, significant strides have been made in defence manufacturing, with an emphasis on indigenization and self-reliance. “The Ministry of Defence notified five positive indigenization lists of the Services, comprising over 500 items, and four other lists, with over 4,600 items for DPSUs, to ensure that the soldiers use made in India weapons and platforms,” Singh highlighted. He also referred to the decision to earmark 75% of the capital acquisition budget for procurement from local companies. “Some people were of the view that indigenous weapons won’t be world-class; however, the government believes in the capabilities of the domestic industry and that they can consistently improve & deliver state-of-the-art products,” he added.
Additionally, Singh stressed the importance of embracing technology, such as artificial intelligence and cyber warfare, to bolster India’s position in the global arena. “On the emergence of technology as a great warrior in today’s constantly evolving times, Shri Rajnath Singh underscored the significance of investing in futuristic technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, smart weapons, cyber warfare, and space warfare,” he emphasized. He voiced the Government’s long-term vision of making India a major player in the field of technology, mentioning initiatives like the launch of Innovations of Defence Technology (iDEX), the Technology Development Fund scheme under DRDO, and the setting up of the National Research Foundation.
Singh highlighted the increasing role of women in all fields, particularly in the Armed Forces, as a testament to the government’s commitment to long-term progress. “Through the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, women have been given their political rights, which was pending for years,” he said. He also pointed out that women today stand shoulder-to-shoulder with men in every field and emphasized their growing importance in the Armed Forces.
On the topic of defence exports, Singh noted India’s transition from being a major arms importer to becoming one of the top 25 arms exporting nations. “Today, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, we have come out of our comfort zone and found a place in the list of top-25 arms exporter nations,” he stated. He attributed this shift to the government’s efforts in promoting indigenous manufacturing and fostering a conducive environment for defence exports.
In terms of financial allocations, Singh mentioned that the Ministry of Defence was allocated the highest budget among all ministries in the Union Budget 2024-25, reflecting the government’s commitment to national security and defence modernization. “The Ministry of Defence was allocated Rs 6.21 lakh crore in the Union Budget 2024-25, which is the highest among the Ministries,” he stated. He also mentioned the Agnipath scheme, aimed at strengthening the country’s military capabilities to ensure its sovereignty and security.
Regarding infrastructure development, Singh highlighted initiatives such as Sagarmala and PM Gati Shakti schemes, which aim to enhance connectivity and boost economic growth. “The government has been working on big long-term infrastructure projects, wherein the outcome is visible after 5-10 years, underlining the Prime Minister’s clear vision to create next-generation infrastructure for future generations,” he emphasized.