India Achieves ₹21,000 Crore Defence Export Milestone: Rajnath Singh Sets ₹50,000 Crore Target By 2029

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Monday that India's defence exports have soared to a record ₹21,000 crore, a tenfold increase from ₹2,000 crore a decade ago.

Addressing officers at the Army War College (AWC) in Mhow Cantonment, Madhya Pradesh, Singh outlined a target of ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029, reflecting India's growing self-reliance and global footprint in defence manufacturing.

Photo Credit: PTI

Strengthening Military Training for Future Challenges

Speaking at the two-century-old Mhow Cantonment, Singh emphasized the importance of mastering frontier technologies to address evolving warfare challenges. He highlighted unconventional threats such as information warfare, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based strategies, proxy warfare, and cyberattacks, stressing the need for advanced training to counter these.

"Military training centres are playing a crucial role in preparing soldiers to tackle these challenges," Singh said, praising the Army War College and other institutions in Mhow for continuously enhancing their training curriculum.

India's Defence Manufacturing Push

Singh lauded the success of the "Make-in-India" initiative, noting that domestically manufactured defence equipment is now being exported globally. He stressed the importance of self-reliance for bolstering India's defence capabilities and securing greater respect on the global stage.

"As defence attaches in the future, officers must embody the vision of an 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and strive to secure national interests internationally," Singh urged.

Integration Among Armed Forces

The Defence Minister reiterated the government's commitment to fostering integration among the Army, Navy, and Air Force for efficient multi-domain operations. He encouraged exploring collaborative training opportunities across institutions, such as AI and communication technologies at the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) and weapons training at the Infantry School.

Economic and Security Growth Hand in Hand

Linking national security with economic prosperity, Singh remarked, "A robust economy complements a strong security framework, and together they ensure India's progress as a global power."

Tributes and Temple Visit

During his two-day visit to Madhya Pradesh, Singh paid homage to fallen soldiers at the Infantry Memorial in Mhow and offered prayers at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain.

Global Military Diplomacy

At the AWC, Singh was briefed on the institution's contributions to training officers from friendly nations, enhancing military diplomacy, and fostering international collaboration. Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and other senior officials were present during the briefing.

Singh concluded by commending the armed forces for their dedication to securing India's borders and providing critical support during natural disasters, emphasizing their indispensable role in the nation's progress and security.