Op Sindoor demonstrated India’s world-class defence readiness sharpened by Govt’s ‘Nation First’ & ‘Forces First’ resolve: Raksha Mantri

Key Highlights:

• Op Sindoor demonstrated India's world-class defence readiness and 'zero tolerance' stance against terrorism.
• Defence production reached ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, with exports at an all-time high of ₹38,000 crore.
• Targets are set to surpass ₹2 lakh crore in defence production this year and ₹3 lakh crore by 2029.
• Five Positive Indigenisation Lists have been issued by Defence Forces (509 items) and DPSUs (5,012 items).
• Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have attracted approximately ₹10,000 crore in investments.
• 75% of the defence modernisation budget is now earmarked for procurement from Indian industries.
• Schemes like Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), iDEX Prime, and ADITI are boosting defence innovation.

Detailed Insights:

• Op Sindoor showcased technological warfare capabilities, effectively using advanced systems such as Akash Teer, Akash missile system, and BrahMos.
• The government's 'Nation First' and 'Forces First' resolve has driven significant transformation in the defence sector over the past 12 years.
• Continuous self-reliance efforts have led to a substantial increase in defence production from ₹40,000 crore in 2014 to ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.
• A new Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) will prioritize mechanisms like 'Buy Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed & Manufactured' to boost domestic production.
• Proposed investments for the Defence Industrial Corridors amount to ₹70,000 crore, creating new employment opportunities.
• The number of defence start-ups has grown from a few dozen in 2018 to over 2,000, with 676 engaged through iDEX.
• The corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board transformed loss-making entities into profit-making units, enhancing output and accountability.
• India is emerging as a credible global security partner, extending its role from the Indian Ocean to the Indo-Pacific.
• The vision is to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047, positioning India as a reliable, modern, and self-reliant defence power.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Aatmanirbharta in Defence: India's policy aimed at achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing and reducing import dependence.
• Positive Indigenisation Lists: Government lists specifying defence items that can only be procured from domestic sources.
• Defence Industrial Corridors: Designated regions established to foster a robust defence manufacturing ecosystem through concentrated investments.
• Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP): The policy framework governing defence procurement, emphasizing indigenous development and production.
• Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX): A flagship initiative to engage start-ups, MSMEs, and innovators in defence technology development.