India has officially joined the ranks of nations equipped with cutting-edge defence technology and is now competing with the world's most advanced military powers, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday.
Speaking at the inauguration of ‘The Week Defence Conclave 2025’, Singh spotlighted India’s rising stature in missile systems, submarines, aircraft carriers, artificial intelligence (AI), cyber defence, and hypersonic weapons.
"Today, India is competing with the developed nations of the world in missile technology (Agni, BrahMos), submarines (INS Arihant), aircraft carriers (INS Vikrant), artificial intelligence, drones, cyber defense, and hypersonic technology," Singh said.
India’s growing investments in next-gen capabilities such as unmanned systems, AI-driven warfare, and hypersonic missiles are positioning the country alongside global military powers like the United States, Russia, and China.
Indigenous Shipbuilding Powerhouse
Singh emphasised India’s growing capability in indigenous shipbuilding, adding that more than 97% of Indian Navy and Coast Guard warships are now being built domestically.
“Indigenous aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant and over 90 warships are today built through our own design and manufacturing capabilities. India is also making a distinct identity for itself in shipbuilding and exporting to friendly nations like Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Maldives," he noted.
Big Boost for Startups & Defence Exports
The Defence Minister revealed that the Ministry of Defence has approved procurements worth over INR 2,400 crore ($289 million USD) from startups and MSMEs.
Additionally, projects worth more than INR 1,500 crore ($181 million USD) have been sanctioned for the development of emerging defence technologies.
India’s defence exports have surged from INR 686 crore ($82 million USD) in 2013–14 to INR 23,622 crore ($2.84 billion USD) in 2024–25, according to Singh.
“Defence products made in our country are now being exported to nearly 100 countries. Our target is to achieve INR 30,000 crore ($3.6 billion USD) in exports this year and reach INR 50,000 crore ($6 billion USD) by 2029,” Singh concluded.