Defence Minister Rajnath assumed charge here on Thursday and said the target for his Ministry is to export Rs 50,000 crore worth of defence equipment by 2028-29.  He also chaired review meering on first 100 days’ action plan with focus on ex-servicemen welfare.

Earlier, Rajnath was welcomed at South Block by Minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth, who was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff(CDS)General Anil Chauhan, Army chief  General Manoj Pande, IAF chief V R Chaudhari, Navy chief  Admiral Dinesh Tripathi and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane besides Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO)chief Samir Kamat besides others.  National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval called on Rajnath.

Talking to reporters on the occasion, Rajnath outlined his vision for the next five years and stated that focus would be on carrying forward the priority areas with renewed thrust to establish a more secure, self-reliant and prosperous nation.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our aim will be to further strengthen the security apparatus of the country, with focus on achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Armed Forces modernisation and the welfare of the soldiers, both serving and retired, will continue to be our main focus,” he said.

Rajnath added that the objective will be to increase defence exports in the times to come. “Defence exports had touched a record Rs 21,083 crore in Financial Year 2023-24. It was historic. Our target will be to export over Rs 50,000 crore worth of defence equipment by 2028-2029,” he said.

He asserted that the Armed Forces are being equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and platforms and they are ready to face every challenge. He commended the military personnel for protecting the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation with valour and commitment.

Immediately after assumption of charge, Rajnath chaired a review meeting on the first 100 days’ Action Plan of his ministry.

The meeting focused on the welfare of veterans, wherein major issues pertaining to the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare were discussed. He instructed the officers to re-dedicate themselves to fulfill the agenda laid out in the 100 days’ Action Plan.

With a view to enhance defence preparedness and continued thrust on Aatmanirbharta in defence, Rajnath stated that he will be conducting regular review meetings to fast-track the progress of the flagship schemes and the initiatives of the defence ministry.

Emphasising the growing salience of the Indian Ocean Region in the defence calculus, he has decided on his first visit in this tenure to the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam, wherein he will be interacting with the officers and sailors. After being elected to the Lok Sabha from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh for the third consecutive time, Rajnath Singh took oath as a Union Cabinet Minister on June 9.