New Delhi : Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh on Thursday stressed the need for self-reliance, innovation and jointness in the defence sector to ensure India’s strategic autonomy and preparedness for future security challenges. He was addressing the third edition of the defence strategic dialogue ‘Kalam & Kavach 3.0’ through a video message at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.
Highlighting the changing nature of warfare, the Defence Minister said future battlefields would favour nations capable of rapidly converting ideas into operational military capabilities. He noted that geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, supply-chain vulnerabilities and hybrid warfare have made preparedness, resilience and innovation central to national security.
Shri Rajnath Singh described self-reliance in defence as a strategic necessity, stating that excessive dependence on foreign nations for critical defence systems could leave a country vulnerable during crises. He emphasised the need for India to design, develop, manufacture, maintain and upgrade key defence technologies within its own ecosystem to secure strategic autonomy.
The Raksha Mantri also underlined the importance of jointness among the armed forces, stating that modern warfare no longer operates within traditional silos. He said effective coordination across land, sea, air, cyber and space domains, along with close collaboration between defence forces, laboratories, industries, start-ups and policymakers, would determine future success.
Delivering the inaugural address, Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth said the conclave represented the convergence of innovation and national security. Referring to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of JAI — Jointness, Aatmanirbharta and Innovation — he said these principles would form the foundation of India’s future security architecture and its journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Shri Sanjay Seth highlighted the progress made in India’s defence sector, noting that defence exports had increased from Rs 686 crore a decade ago to a record Rs 38,424 crore, while annual defence production touched Rs 1.54 lakh crore in 2025-26. He reiterated the government’s target of achieving Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports and Rs 3 lakh crore in defence production by 2029-30.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, the Minister described it as an example of New India’s defence capabilities, showcasing indigenous systems, rapid response, technological integration and seamless coordination among the armed forces. He said the operation reflected India’s zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism.
Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, in his special address, emphasised the importance of indigenous innovation and advanced technologies in strengthening India’s strategic capabilities.
The conclave, themed ‘Taking JAI Forward With I²’, focused on India’s evolving defence and national security landscape with discussions on artificial intelligence-enabled warfare, autonomous systems, hypersonic technologies, quantum-enabled C4ISR systems, aerospace advancements and defence manufacturing expansion.
The event witnessed participation from senior officials of the Ministry of Defence, armed forces personnel, scientists, industry leaders, start-ups, academia, foreign delegates and strategic experts. An exhibition showcasing innovations by Indian private industry, MSMEs and start-ups was also organised during the conclave.