Military Modernisation Driven By A Self-Reliant & Future-Ready Defence Sector Is Govt’s Top Priority: Raksha Mantri On The Eve Of 80th Independence Day

Key Highlights:

• Raksha Mantri highlighted significant growth in India's defence sector on the eve of the 80th Independence Day (August 14, 2026).
• Domestic defence production surged from ₹46,000 crore in 2014 to ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.
• Defence exports increased over 5,500% from ₹686 crore (FY 2013-14) to ₹38,424 crore (FY 2025-26), targeting ₹50,000 crore by 2029.
• The defence budget rose from ₹2.53 lakh crore (FY 2013-14) to ₹7.85 lakh crore (FY 2026-27), with a 90% increase in the R&D budget.
• Key indigenous defence technologies like Advanced Agni Missile (MIRV) and hypersonic missile capabilities were successfully tested.
• Government emphasized welfare for ex-servicemen and increased opportunities for women in armed forces, including the first female NDA cadets.

Detailed Insights:

• The growth in defence production and exports is attributed to initiatives like Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India, positioning India as a global defence manufacturing hub.
• Private sector participation in defence production increased to 24% in FY 2025-26, indicating an improving business environment.
• The Defence Acquisition Council granted Acceptance of Necessity for projects worth over ₹8.75 lakh crore, accelerating modernization.
• Reforms include a two-fold increase in financial ceiling for Field Commanders and ₹1.25 lakh crore procurement through the revenue route to boost indigenization.
• Successful tests include Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation system, Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile, RudraM-II Air-to-Surface Missile, Naval Anti-Ship Missile-SR, and Pinaka Long-Range Guided Rocket.
• India joined select nations with hypersonic missile technology after testing the Active Cooled Full-Scale Scramjet Combustor.
• Air defence capabilities were bolstered by the successful test of the indigenous Kusha’ Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile.
• Welfare measures include a 300% increase in the budget for the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme and doubled grants under the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.
• The Samudra Pradakshina, an all-women circumnavigation expedition, symbolized Nari Shakti in defence.
• The year 2026 marks the 150th anniversary of the National Song Vande Mataram.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Aatmanirbhar Bharat: A vision for a self-reliant India, promoting indigenous manufacturing and reducing import dependence.
• Make-in-India: A government initiative to encourage companies to manufacture their products in India.
• Defence Acquisition Council (DAC): The highest decision-making body in the Defence Ministry for capital acquisitions.
• Acceptance of Necessity (AoN): The first step in defence procurement, signifying the need for a particular weapon system or equipment.
• MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle): A missile payload containing multiple warheads, each capable of striking a different target.