Vadodara: India’s domestic defence production increased nearly fourfold from Rs 46,000 crore in 2014 to Rs 1.78 lakh crore, Defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday, asserting that Gujarat has the potential to emerge as a major hub for defence manufacturing and technology.Addressing the valedictory function of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) in Vadodara, Singh said defence exports have also risen sharply from around Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 39,000 crore over the past decade, reflecting the country’s growing self-reliance in the sector.He said Gujarat’s robust industrial ecosystem, entrepreneurial culture and skilled workforce place the state in a strong position to contribute significantly to India’s defence manufacturing ambitions.
“We have come a long way, but this is only the beginning. Gujarat can play a major role in achieving self-reliance in defence production,” Singh said.Highlighting the state’s growing importance, the minister referred to the Tata-Airbus C-295 transport aircraft project in Vadodara, India’s first private-sector military aircraft manufacturing facility, and described it as a landmark in the country’s aerospace journey.He also cited the K9 Vajra self-propelled artillery system manufactured in Gujarat and the emerging semiconductor ecosystems at Sanand and Dholera as indicators of the state’s expanding role in strategic industries.Singh said future warfare and economic growth would increasingly depend on technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, cybersecurity and space technology.Gujarat’s strengths in chemicals, engineering, shipbuilding, ports, renewable energy and green hydrogen could provide a strong foundation for advanced defence manufacturing, he added.The minister said policy initiatives such as Make in India, the Defence Acquisition Procedure, the Technology Development Fund, the Srijan Portal and Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) have encouraged greater participation by private industries, MSMEs and startups. The Centre has also simplified industrial licensing rules and liberalised foreign direct investment policies to attract investments into the sector, he said.Earlier in the day, Singh attended a seminar on “Self-reliant India in Aerospace and Defence“, where MoUs worth Rs 2,550 crore for investments in Gujarat’s defence sector were signed in his presence. He also interacted with representatives of Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen & Toubro, the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers, startups, MSMEs and academia, inviting suggestions to strengthen indigenous defence production.Calling Vibrant Gujarat a movement aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Singh said economic strength, technological capability and national security together form the pillars of a developed nation and urged industry players to contribute to making India a global defence manufacturing powerhouse.
