India to be biggest weapon exporter in 25-30 years: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said no power can stop India, once considered an importer of weapons, from becoming the biggest exporter in 25-30 years.

After inaugurating an ammunition manufacturing unit in Shirdi, Singh said a nation that makes its weapons writes its own destiny.

He said the role of private players in defence manufacturing was negligible a few years back, which now stands at 25-30 per cent, while the government aims to increase it further to 50 per cent.

“The private sector is not just a supplier of nuts and bolts in defence, but also a producer of state-of-the-art weapons systems,” he added.

Singh said India was considered a weapons importer, but no power can now stop it from being the biggest exporter in 25-30 years.

He said that when the Government’s vision and the private sector’s innovation align, then the country reaches new heights.

During the rule of the British East India Company, potassium nitrate was used as raw material to make gunpowder, and the company strengthened its military capability, Singh said.

He said India has come a long way as far as its defence industry is concerned.

Singh said that while ordnance factories existed even before Independence and the defence industry is deeply rooted in the country, after Independence, there was no balance between the country’s old capabilities and modern requirements.

This was because private players did not get the opportunities as the sector was restricted to PSUs and ordnance factories, Singh said.

He listed steps undertaken by the Union Government to increase private participation in the defence sector, including policy-related reforms and FDI liberalisation.

He said the Government implemented a strategic partnership model, prepared a positive indigenisation list of 5,000 items, making it mandatory for armed forces to procure them in India. Young innovators, too, are being encouraged, Singh added.

On the defence manufacturing unit, Singh said a golden chapter of self-reliance is being written in India’s defence and space sector.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also attended the event.

The factory at Shirdi is built on 200 acres of land. It is expected to generate employment for 2,000 people and support Medium, Small and Micro Industries. It will export defence equipment to other countries, Nibe Group chairman-managing director Ganesh Nibe had said.

The unit in Ahilyanagar district will manufacture artillery bombshells and support the aerospace segment.

The complex intends to manufacture advanced artillery systems, missiles and space technologies, rocket systems, energetic materials, and autonomous defence platforms.

India’s first 300 KM Universal Rocket Launching System, ‘Suryastra’, was flagged off as part of the event. The foundation stone was also laid for a missile complex for the system.

The unveiling of indigenous TNT Plant Technology, RDX Plant Technology and Renewable Bio-Energy Compressed Biogas Plant took place during the ceremony, while an MoU was exchanged between Nibe Group and Black Sky for satellite assembly.

“We recognised the capabilities of the private sector as it can transform India into a global manufacturing hub,” Singh said.

Singh said the outcome of future wars will be determined by the nation’s advancements and capabilities in munitions and automation, and not by the size of its forces.

“Glimpses of this reality can be witnessed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the West Asia situation. India demonstrated this capability in Operation Sindoor,” he said.

He called for concerted efforts of all stakeholders to transform India into a global hub for munitions and automation. “We stand ready to take every necessary step to ensure India emerges as a frontrunner in munitions and automated systems,” he stated.

Singh said the fundamental objective of technology is not to diminish the capabilities of soldiers, but to augment them, and the final decision must always remain in human hands.

“Modern weaponry and automated systems are playing an increasingly significant role in future warfare. It is imperative for India to advance in this direction. Let us collectively pledge to make India fully self-reliant in defence and space technology,” he said.

In today’s world, ‘security’ and ‘economy’ can no longer be viewed in isolation, as a robust economy serves as the bedrock for a strong military and modern defence capabilities, he said.

“National security creates a stable environment conducive to investment, industrial growth, and overall development. However, we are currently witnessing the weaponisation of almost everything - from trade and supply chains to even rare earth minerals. In such times, we cannot remain dependent on others for our defence manufacturing needs,” he said.

Atmanirbharta in defence production is not merely a requirement for war, but also a necessity for peace, development, and economic resilience, he added.

In his address, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis commended the Centre’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India initiatives.

Operation Sindoor was a shining example of the unmatched bravery of Indian soldiers and the nation’s growing indigenous defence capabilities, he said.

India’s defence ecosystem has transformed due to the active and equal participation of the public and private sectors, he said.

India continues to enhance its strategic might and is playing a constructive role in promoting global peace and stability, the CM said.

Singh and Fadnavis also visited the Saibaba shrine in Shirdi.