Boost defence role, Rajnath urges pvt sector

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today asked the private industry to expand its role in manufacturing military equipment.

“Move forward at a new pace in production, technology, design and innovation, keeping national interests in mind,” he said while addressing the Indian Navy-hosted “Swavlamban” (self-dependence) seminar in New Delhi. The minister urged the private sector to raise its contribution to defence manufacturing to 50 per cent or more in the coming years.

India’s annual defence production touched an all-time high of Rs 1,50,590 crore in FY 2024-25, with the private sector accounting for 23 per cent, while 77 per cent came from public sector undertakings.

He stressed that the private sector must adopt a profit-plus approach and develop platforms and systems that become symbols of global trust in India.