Rajnath Singh Pitches For Self-Reliant Defence Industry As National Security Challenges Becoming 'Complex'

The Defence Minister, who was speaking after launching the ‘Defence India Startup Challenge 5.0’, said “the security scenario in the whole world is changing very fast”.

Rajnath Singh (File Pic)

New Delhi: Amid concerns across the globe post the Taliban taking over Afghanistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday noted that India’s national security challenges are increasing and becoming “complex”.

Singh, in view of the changing geopolitical situation globally, pitched for a strong, capable and completely “self-reliant” defence industry in the country.

The Defence Minister, who was speaking after launching the ‘Defence India Startup Challenge 5.0’, said “the security scenario in the whole world is changing very fast”.

“Because of this, the challenges to our national security are increasing and becoming complex. There are constant changes in the global geopolitical situation,” Singh said.

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“It is necessary that we not only create strong, modern and well-equipped forces, but also develop our defence industry, which is equally strong, capable, and most importantly, completely 'self-reliant',” he added.

Assuring all possible cooperation from the Central government, the Defence Minister called upon the private sector “to come forward and contribute in building a strong and self-reliant defence sector”.

“There is neither a shortage of talents in our country, nor is there a lack of demand for talents. But in the absence of a common platform, the two could not match. 'iDEX' platform has been successful to a large extent in bridging this gap,” PTI quoted Singh as saying.

The ‘Defence India Startup Challenge 5.0’ is an initiative under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) that acts as an umbrella organisation to promote technology development for the defence sector.

This comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has in the last couple of years unveiled a series of reform measures and initiatives to make India a defence manufacturing hub.

The Defence Minister had earlier in August last year announced that India will stop the import of 101 weapons and military platforms like transport aircraft, light combat helicopters, conventional submarines, cruise missiles and sonar systems by 2024.

The government has also been focusing on reducing dependence on imported military platforms and in tune with the same decided to support domestic defence manufacturing.