Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called upon India's private sector to adopt a 'profit-plus' approach that harmonizes commercial interests with national strategic objectives while significantly expanding its role in defence manufacturing.
Balancing Profit with National Mission
Speaking at the fourth edition of the Indian Navy's Swavlamban seminar in New Delhi on Friday, Singh emphasized that the private sector should view defence manufacturing not merely as economic activity but as a national mission. The minister articulated that a profit-plus approach encompasses monetary profit, nationalism, a sense of duty and strategic responsibility.
"Our goal should not be limited to economic activity; it should be treated as a national mission," Singh told the gathering that included startups, MSMEs, academia, industry partners and venture capitalists.
Ambitious Targets for Indigenous Manufacturing
In a significant push toward self-reliance, Rajnath Singh urged the private sector to strive toward increasing its contribution in defence manufacturing to over 50% in the coming years. This marks a substantial enhancement from current levels and aligns with the government's broader 'Make in India' initiative in the defence sector.
The Defence Minister also encouraged private industry players to identify and propose the next big platforms, disruptive technologies, or path-breaking innovations to the government, endorsing enhanced collaboration for building a robust defence ecosystem.
Addressing Import Dependencies
Highlighting the long-term financial burden associated with imported defence equipment, Singh pointed to the substantial costs involved in maintenance, repair, overhaul, and spare parts supply. He stressed the critical need to establish a self-reliant domestic supply chain to overcome these challenges.
"If we strengthen local manufacturing of components and subsystems, our indigenous content will increase rapidly. This will not only enhance capability but also ensure cost efficiency, reliability, and strategic independence," the Defence Minister asserted.
The Swavlamban seminar, organized by the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers and Defence Innovation Organisation, serves as a platform to showcase indigenous technologies and facilitate collaboration between the Navy and the nation's innovation ecosystem.
Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, who also attended the event, noted that with each successive edition, Swavlamban has grown in scope, scale, and participation. "Through this platform, we aim to foster ideas are nurtured, and promising technologies are fast-tracked towards operational deployment," Admiral Tripathi stated.
The event saw participation from key defence officials including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, underscoring the strategic importance of the initiative in strengthening India's defence capabilities through innovation and indigenization.
