- Defence Minister chairs high-level parliamentary consultation on modernisation of armed forces in Jaisalmer; stresses a technologically empowered, operationally agile military.
- Record ₹7.85-lakh-crore defence budget for 2026-27 includes ₹2.19 lakh crore for capital acquisition and modernisation.
- Indigenous defence production surges to a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26 from ₹46,429 crore in 2014-15.
- AI, autonomous weapons, unmanned platforms, cyber, space and electronic warfare emerge as critical pillars of future battlefield preparedness.
- Army’s new Asani, Bhairav and Shaktiban platoons reflect changing operational requirements; MPs call for a structured, coordinated modernisation roadmap.
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, NOV 3
From next-generation weapons and artificial intelligence to indigenous manufacturing and multi-domain combat preparedness, India’s military modernisation is entering a decisive phase. With defence production touching a record ₹1.78 lakh crore and exports approaching ₹40,000 crore, the government has now set its sights on an ambitious ₹3-lakh-crore production target and ₹50,000-crore export milestone by 2029. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has underscored that technological superiority, self-reliance and battle-ready human capital must advance together to prepare India’s armed forces for the conflicts of tomorrow.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Defence on ‘Modernisation of Indian Defence Forces’ in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, bringing together Members of Parliament and senior civilian and military officials to deliberate on emerging security challenges and the imperatives of building a future-ready military.
The discussions focused on changing warfare paradigms, technological advancements, operational preparedness and the need to transform India’s armed forces into a technologically empowered, integrated and operationally agile fighting force.
The deliberations identified six critical priorities: accelerated induction of next-generation platforms and weapons; stronger tri-service integration and joint operational planning; indigenous defence research, design and manufacturing; adoption of disruptive technologies; closer collaboration between the armed forces, research institutions, industry and academia; and measurable implementation of modernisation initiatives.
Record defence budget, bigger capital outlay
Emphasising the government’s commitment to equipping the armed forces for present-day and emerging challenges, Singh outlined initiatives under three broad dimensions — budget and capital acquisition with self-reliance, technology and human capital.
He highlighted the sustained increase in budgetary support and capital acquisition, stressing that adequate financial resources, effective utilisation and prioritisation of critical requirements are indispensable to strengthening military capabilities.
The defence budget for 2026-27 has been increased to a record ₹7.85 lakh crore, including a capital outlay of ₹2.19 lakh crore earmarked for modernisation and capital procurement. The enhanced allocation reflects the government’s commitment to meeting the operational requirements of the armed forces while strengthening domestic defence industries and manufacturing capabilities.
Atmanirbharta gains momentum
Highlighting the significant strides in indigenous defence manufacturing, Singh said defence production had risen from ₹46,429 crore in 2014-15 to a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26. Defence exports, which stood at less than ₹2,000 crore in 2014, have grown to approximately ₹40,000 crore.
Setting out the next milestone, he declared: “We aim to achieve defence production worth Rs 3 lakh crore and defence exports worth Rs 50,000 crore by 2029.”
The Defence Minister also emphasised the importance of a robust domestic defence ecosystem, with greater participation by Indian manufacturers, start-ups, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and large corporations.
Technology will shape future battlefields
Underlining the transformative role of technology in modern warfare, Singh said technological advancements were fundamentally changing the character of conflicts.
He highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in developing advanced weapons, missiles and military systems. He also pointed to the government’s efforts to provide a level playing field to private industry, enabling enterprises of different sizes to contribute to India’s defence capabilities.
Describing the approach as a ‘whole-of-the-nation’ effort, he expressed satisfaction over the growing contribution of private industry to strengthening national defence.
The meeting also underscored the importance of harnessing artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, unmanned platforms, cyber capabilities, space-based assets, electronic warfare and advanced communications to prepare for increasingly complex, multi-domain conflicts.
Human capital remains the decisive edge
Stressing that military strength cannot be measured merely through sophisticated equipment and financial resources, Singh highlighted the importance of trained, capable and operationally prepared personnel.
“The rapidly evolving nature of warfare necessitates that our Defence Forces remain aligned with the changing requirements of modern warfare. Keeping this in mind, all three Services have continuously refined their structures and formations. The Indian Army’s new formations, including the ‘Asani’, ‘Bhairav’ and ‘Shaktiban’ platoons, are proving highly effective in addressing contemporary operational requirements and adapting to the changing dynamics of the battlefield,” he said.
He emphasised that modernisation must go beyond procuring new weapons and equipment. It should encompass enhanced operational readiness, the adoption of advanced technologies and the development of indigenous capabilities that can sustain India’s strategic requirements over the long term.
Strategic autonomy through indigenous capabilities
Reiterating the importance of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in national security, Singh said the objective was to build a strong domestic defence ecosystem that aligned technological development with military requirements, encouraged greater participation by Indian industry and reduced strategic dependence on foreign sources.
Strategic autonomy and indigenous technological capabilities, he stressed, were essential to safeguarding national security.
He called for sustained investment in research and development, indigenous technologies, industrial participation and innovation, emphasising that modernisation was a continuous process requiring long-term planning and periodic reassessment in response to evolving security challenges.
MPs’ suggestions to shape modernisation roadmap
The meeting also benefited from valuable suggestions by Members of Parliament representing both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. Their perspectives enriched the consultative process by bringing legislative, strategic and national considerations into the deliberations.
The discussions highlighted the need to translate policy intent into measurable outcomes through a structured and phased modernisation roadmap. Key priorities included identifying critical military capabilities, improving coordination among stakeholders, streamlining acquisition and development procedures, and periodically reviewing progress against clearly defined objectives.
The overarching objective is to build armed forces capable of responding effectively to conventional, sub-conventional and multi-domain security challenges.
Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Ex-servicemen Welfare) Sukriti Likhi, Secretary (Defence Finance) Vishvajit Sahay and other senior civilian and military officials attended the meeting