India’s defence exports crossed record Rs 21,000 crore over decade, Rajnath sets Rs 50,000 crore target for 2029

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that India's defence exports have crossed a record Rs 21,000 crore from Rs 2,000 crore a decade ago. Addressing officers at the Army War College (AWC) in more than two-centuries-old Mhow Cantonment, during his two-day visit to Madhya Pradesh, Singh said a target has been set to achieve defence exports of Rs 50,000 crore by 2029.

He emphasized that mastering frontier technologies is essential in our constantly evolving world, noting that military training centers play a crucial role in preparing soldiers to tackle future challenges.

"Our defense exports, which were approximately ₹2,000 crore a decade ago, have now surpassed an impressive ₹21,000 crore. We have set an export target of ₹50,000 crore by 2029," Singh stated. He also mentioned that Made-in-India equipment is being exported to other countries.

Further in his speech Singh mentioned radical changes in warfare, saying that unconventional methods like information warfare, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based warfare, proxy warfare, electromagnetic warfare, space warfare, and cyber-attacks are posing a big challenge, stressing the need for the military to be well-trained and equipped to fight off such attacks and lauded training centres in Mhow for their valuable contributions.

Singh praised the training centers for their ongoing efforts to enhance their training curriculum in accordance with the evolving landscape and to equip the personnel with the necessary skills to confront any obstacle. The defence minister said the Modi government is dedicated to enhancing the integration and jointness of the three services.
"In the times to come, the armed forces will be able to face challenges together in a better and more efficient way," he added. Singh said high-level training is provided to officers of all wings in the Mhow Cantonment.

He urged officers to explore the possibilities of enhancing integration through training in areas such as weapons training at Infantry School, AI and communication technologies at Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), and leadership - junior and senior command at AWC. Singh stated that some officers will serve as defense attaches in the future and should try to protect national interests on a global scale.

"When you take up this position as a defence attaché, you should embrace the government's vision of 'aatmanirbhar Bharat'. "Only through self-reliance can India strengthen its defense capabilities and gain more respect on the global stage," he continued.

He stated that the administration is determined to establishing India as one of the world's strongest economic and military nations.

"Economic prosperity is possible only when full attention is paid to security. Similarly, the security system will be robust only when the economy is strong. Both complement each other," he added.

Singh hailed the role of armed forces in securing the borders and being the first responders during natural disasters. "This dedication to protect the nation and this spirit to keep ourselves updated in a constantly changing world can take us ahead of others," he added.

At the Army War College (AWC), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was briefed by Commandant Lt Gen HS Sahi about the institute's role and significance in training and empowering military leaders for warfare across a spectrum of conflicts.

The Defence Minister was informed about significant advancements in training methodologies, including joint operations in multi-domain warfare, the integration of technology into the training curriculum, and exchange programs with academic institutions, universities, and industries, as well as the training of officers from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), according to an official release.

He was also updated on the global outreach of the institute, which has trained officers from allied countries and made substantial contributions to military diplomacy.

Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and other senior Army officials were present at the briefing.

Following this, the Defence Minister laid a wreath at the Infantry Memorial to pay tribute to the brave soldiers who have served.

Earlier in the day, Singh and General Dwivedi offered prayers at the renowned Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain city.