Vadodara

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday urged industries to play a central role in India's journey towards becoming a developed nation by transforming regional strengths into national capabilities, fostering innovation and enhancing the country's strategic and industrial competitiveness.

Addressing industrialists, entrepreneurs, innovators and academicians at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Vadodara, Singh said the vision of Viksit Bharat extends beyond economic growth and seeks to build a technologically advanced, economically strong and socially empowered nation.

According to the Defence Ministry, Singh stressed that India's self-reliance, technological capabilities and collective resolve would shape its global standing amid a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment.

He said history shows that strong nations are built on three pillars—economic strength, technological advancement and national security—and emphasised that these elements reinforce one another. He called for greater collaboration between industry and the government to strengthen both the country's economy and its security.

The Defence Minister highlighted the broader economic impact of the defence sector, saying defence manufacturing creates opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, industry and employment while promoting research, innovation and technological development. He urged stakeholders to leverage this momentum to further strengthen India's industrial and defence capabilities.

Referring to the transformation of India's defence sector over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh said the country has moved from being heavily dependent on imports to emerging as an important defence manufacturing and export hub. He credited the success of indigenous defence platforms, increased private-sector participation and the contributions of start-ups and innovators for building a robust defence ecosystem.

He said initiatives such as Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, reforms to the Defence Acquisition Procedure and the Technology Development Fund have significantly strengthened domestic capabilities in strategic sectors, including aerospace and defence.

Singh added that the government has simplified licensing procedures, liberalised foreign direct investment norms and introduced initiatives such as the Srijan Portal, iDEX, Defence Testing Infrastructure, Green Channel Certification and Self-Certification to encourage MSMEs and start-ups. Transparent policies, technology transfer mechanisms and collaborative research frameworks, he said, are helping industries contribute more effectively to national security.

Highlighting the sector's growth, Singh said India's defence production has risen from Rs 46,000 crore in 2014 to a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore, while defence exports have increased from less than Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 38,424 crore.

He clarified that self-reliance does not imply isolation but rather strengthening domestic capabilities while collaborating globally through technology transfers, joint ventures and partnerships with foreign original equipment manufacturers.

Singh described Gujarat as well-positioned to contribute to India's defence manufacturing ambitions due to its industrial base, skilled workforce and entrepreneurial ecosystem. He cited the Tata-Airbus aircraft facility in Vadodara, where C-295 transport aircraft are being manufactured, as well as the production of K-9 Vajra self-propelled artillery systems in the state.

He also highlighted Gujarat's growing semiconductor ecosystem in Sanand and Dholera, saying it would play a key role in advancing artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity and space technologies.

According to Singh, Gujarat's strengths in chemicals, petrochemicals, electronics, shipbuilding, renewable energy and green hydrogen can be effectively aligned with the needs of the defence sector, enabling the state to emerge as a major defence manufacturing hub.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Defence Minister interacted with representatives from industry and academia during a seminar on defence and aerospace manufacturing, reiterating the government's commitment to creating a more enabling ecosystem for domestic defence production.

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He also visited an exhibition showcasing products and innovations from industries, MSMEs, start-ups, exporters, mobility firms, women entrepreneurs, tribal artisans and other sectors.