India to build all warships domestically: Rajnath Singh's push for self-reliance in defence

In a significant move towards enhancing India's defence capabilities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that all future warships for the Indian Navy will be constructed domestically.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to bolster self-reliance in defence manufacturing, aligning with the government's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) campaign.

Singh emphasized that self-reliance in defence is no longer a mere advantage but a necessity. He highlighted the rapidly changing global landscape, marked by emerging challenges such as pandemics, terrorism, and regional conflicts, which necessitate a robust and self-sustaining defence infrastructure.

“In such circumstances, if we talk about today’s strategic requirements, it is clear that atmanirbharta (self-reliance) is essential for both our economy and our security,” Singh stated at the NDTV's Defence Summit.

Singh also addressed the evolving geopolitical dynamics, asserting that India does not consider any nation as a permanent enemy.

He noted, “There are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests. India does not consider anyone an enemy. The interest of our farmers and entrepreneurs is most important to us.”
The Indian Express

Highlighting India's progress in defence exports, the minister pointed out that the country's defence exports have surged from less than ₹700 crore in 2014 to nearly ₹24,000 crore currently. This growth signifies India's transition from being primarily a defence importer to an emerging exporter in the global defence market .

In line with these objectives, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh revealed that the government allocated approximately ₹1.6 lakh crore in capital expenditure for the previous year, with 81% of this expenditure directed towards domestic procurement.

The government aims to maintain this trend, setting a benchmark of 75% domestic spending for future capital expenditure in the defence sector .

This strategic shift towards indigenous warship production is expected to not only enhance India's naval capabilities but also stimulate the domestic defence industry, creating employment opportunities and fostering technological advancements.

By reducing dependency on foreign suppliers, India aims to achieve greater autonomy in its defence sector, ensuring preparedness to meet emerging security challenges effectively.