New Delhi

The progress of defence PSUs is not merely an economic or industrial necessity, but a "national security imperative", Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday as he urged them to focus on timely delivery, reducing import dependency and making efforts to achieve quality equivalent to global standards.

He also welcomed the increased investment in research and development by the defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), while underlining that the success of R&D should be measured not just by the amount spent, but by the development of new technologies, intellectual property, prototypes and operational products.

"We must identify niche technology areas where India can become not just self-reliant, but a global leader," Singh said.

The defence minister said this during the review of the annual performance of 16 DPSUs here.

During the meeting, Singh, along with Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, was briefed by Secretary (Defence Production), Sanjeev Kumar, and the chairmen and managing directors (CMDs) of the DPSUs on their performance, key achievements, and future roadmap.

Singh reviewed the progress made by the DPSUs in enhancing indigenous production and manufacturing capabilities, development of advanced defence technologies, increasing exports, strengthening supply chains and execution of major projects, the defence ministry said.

He urged the DPSUs to continue focussing on elevating the quality of their products to global standards.

"In pursuit of the 'Make in India, Make for the World' objective, we must resolve to transform all DPSUs into global giants," the defence minister said.

Singh urged the DPSUs to focus on timely delivery, reducing the import dependency, transforming R&D into technology leadership, enhancing defence exports to newer heights, increasing productivity with their capex expansion, supporting start-ups and MSMEs further and making efforts to achieve quality equivalent to global standards.

"The progress of DPSUs is not merely an economic or industrial necessity; it is a national security imperative. Recent global conflicts have demonstrated how crucial assured supply chains, surge capacity, critical spares, rapid repair capabilities, and the ability to sustain production during prolonged conflicts are for any nation," he said.

During the event, the CMDs of seven DPSUs -- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), BEML, and MIDHANI-- presented dividend cheques, worth a total of Rs 3,951 crore for the government's equity shares to the defence minister for financial year 2025-26, the ministry said in a statement.

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On the occasion, Singh released four books including 'Aatmanirbhar DPSU - A Journey of DPSUs towards Self-Reliance', it said.