Raksha Mantri chairs meeting of Consultative Committee of Ministry of Defence on ‘Modernisation of Indian
Raksha Mantri chairs meeting of Consultative Committee
of Ministry of Defence on ‘Modernisation of Indian
Defence Forces’ in Jaisalmer
Govt is committed to building a technologically empowered military equipped to meet
present-day & emerging challenges: Shri Rajnath Singh
“We aim to achieve Rs 3 lakh crore defence production & Rs 50,000 crore defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting of the Consultative Committee of
the Ministry of Defence on ‘Modernisation of Indian Defence Forces’ in Jaisalmer,
Rajasthan on November 3, 2026.
The meeting witnessed comprehensive deliberations on
the emerging security challenges, warfare paradigms, technological advancements and
the imperative of building a future-ready, technologically empowered and operationally
agile military.
The key focus areas emerging from the meeting include:
Capability Development & Force Modernisation: Accelerating the induction of
next-generation platforms, weapon systems and technologies to enhance
combat effectiveness and operational preparedness.
Jointness & Integration: Strengthening Tri-service integration, joint operational
planning and synergised application of capabilities across multiple domains.
Indigenous Defence Manufacturing: Giving further impetus to Make-in-India and
Aatmanirbhar Bharat through indigenous research, design, development and
manufacturing, with greater participation of domestic industry, start-ups and
academia.
Emerging & Disruptive Technologies: Harnessing artificial intelligence,
autonomous systems, unmanned platforms, cyber, space, electronic warfare and
advanced communications to prepare for the character of future conflicts.
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Defence Research & Innovation: Strengthening collaboration among the Defence
Forces, DRDO, Defence Public Sector Undertakings, private industry and
academic institutions to accelerate the transition from innovation to operational
capability.
Resource Optimisation & Implementation: Establishing clear priorities,
institutional mechanisms and measurable milestones to ensure that
modernisation initiatives translate into tangible operational outcomes.
Emphasising the need for the Defence Forces to remain prepared for present-day and
emerging challenges, Raksha Mantri enumerated the steps taken by the Government,
under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, across three key dimensions –
‘Budget & Capital Acquisition and Self-reliance’, ‘Technology’ and ‘Human Capital’ – to
equip the military to meet the evolving demands of technology-driven modern warfare.
He highlighted the Government’s sustained focus on budgetary support and capital
acquisition to meet the modernisation requirements, stressing that adequate financial
resources, coupled with effective utilisation and prioritisation of critical needs of the
Services, are essential to strengthening military capabilities.
Shri Rajnath Singh stated that the defence budget for the Financial Year (FY) 2026-27 was
increased to a record Rs 7.85 lakh crore, including a capital outlay of Rs 2.19 lakh crore
earmarked for modernisation and capital procurement, reflecting the commitment to
meeting the operational requirements of the Defence Forces while bolstering domestic
defence industries and manufacturing capabilities.
On the growing Aatmanirbharta in defence, Raksha Mantri said that defence production
has risen from Rs 46,429 crore in FY 2014-15 to a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26,
with defence exports, which stood at less than Rs 2,000 crore in 2014, growing to
approximately Rs 40,000 crore. “We aim to achieve defence production worth Rs 3 lakh
crore and defence exports worth Rs 50,000 crore by 2029,” he added.
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Shri Rajnath Singh underlined the transformative role of technology in modern warfare,
stating that technological advancements are integral to the changing character of
conflicts. He highlighted the initiatives undertaken by DRDO in developing advanced
weapons, missiles and systems, adding that the Government is providing a level playing
field to the private sector, enabling greater participation of entities ranging from MSMEs
to large corporations in the defence ecosystem. Describing it as a ‘whole-of-the-nation’
approach, he expressed satisfaction at the growing contribution of private industry
towards strengthening the defence capabilities of the country.
Underscoring the importance of human capital, Raksha Mantri stated that the strength of
a military is determined not merely by technology and financial resources, but also by the
capabilities & preparedness of personnel. “The rapidly evolving nature of warfare
necessitates that our Defence Forces remain aligned with the changing requirements of
modern warfare. Keeping this in mind, all three Services have continuously refined their
structures and formations. The Indian Army’s new formations, including the ‘Asani’,
‘Bhairav’ and ‘Shaktiban’ platoons, are proving highly effective in addressing
contemporary operational requirements and adapting to the changing dynamics of the
battlefield,” he said.
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Shri Rajnath Singh emphasised that modernisation is not just about procuring new
weapons and equipment, it entails enhancing the operational preparedness of the
Defence Forces, equipping them with modern technologies and developing indigenous
capabilities for the long term. Underlining the significance of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in the
context of national security, he highlighted that the focus is to build a robust domestic
defence ecosystem that aligns technological development with military requirements,
encourages greater participation of Indian industry and reduces the country’s strategic
dependence on foreign sources. Strategic autonomy and indigenous technological
capabilities are essential to safeguarding national security, he said.
Raksha Mantri underscored that modernisation is a continuous process, necessitating
sustained efforts to enhance operational preparedness in response to evolving
technologies, shifting security challenges and changing requirements. He emphasised
the need to build long-term capabilities that would enable the Defence Forces to remain
operationally effective and self-reliant. He called for sustained promotion of research and
development, indigenous technologies, greater industrial participation and innovation to
strengthen the country’s defence capabilities.
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The meeting witnessed valuable suggestions by Members of Parliament from both the
Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. Their diverse perspectives and insights enriched the
consultative process, bringing in important legislative, strategic and national
perspectives. The deliberations translated into a clear roadmap for action, with emphasis
on prioritising critical capabilities, strengthening coordination among stakeholders,
streamlining acquisition and development processes, and periodically assessing progress
against defined objectives.
Emphasising the need to translate intent into implementation, the meeting highlighted
the importance of a structured and phased approach to modernisation. The objective is
to build a military capable of responding effectively to conventional, sub-conventional
and multi-domain security challenges.
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh,
Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Ex-servicemen Welfare)
Smt Sukriti Likhi, Secretary (Defence Finance) Shri Vishvajit Sahay and other senior civil &
military officials attended the meeting.
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