AI, algorithms future war weapons: Rajnath Singh
New Delhi, Oct 7: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that the nature of warfare is undergoing a profound transformation, with future conflicts likely to be driven by artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and new-age technologies.
“The battlefield has changed. The wars of tomorrow will be fought with algorithms, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence. Drones, anti-drone systems, quantum computing and directed-energy weapons will define the future. We have seen such a demo in Operation Sindoor as well,” Rajnath Singh said at ‘Raksha Navachar Samvaad: Interaction with iDEX Startups’ ahead of the National Conference at Vigyan Bhawan.
He urged innovators to “think beyond existing solutions and develop technologies that redefine warfare,” stressing that India must move from imitation to innovation. “We must not remain imitators or followers in technology; we must become the creators and standard-setters for the world,” he added.
Highlighting progress in indigenisation, the Defence Minister said defence capital acquisitions from domestic sources have risen from ₹74,000 crore in 2021–22 to ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2024–25. He called this “not merely a statistical change but a change in mindset from dependence to confidence.” Rajnath Singh underlined that the government’s Public Procurement Policy reserves at least 25% of annual procurement for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), with more than 350 items earmarked exclusively for them. “India’s self-reliance in defence has moved from being a slogan to becoming a movement — from policy to practice, and from innovation to impact,” he said.
Encouraging startups to aim higher, he noted that while India now has over 100 unicorns, none belong to the defence sector. “Let the first Defence Unicorn of India emerge from among you. It will be a matter of pride not only for you but for the entire nation,” he urged. Praising innovators for their role in record-breaking achievements — defence production worth ₹1.5 lakh crore and exports exceeding ₹23,000 crore in 2024–25 — the Defence Minister said, “You are the architects of a new India that believes in designing, developing and producing for itself.”
Recalling the launch of iDEX in 2018, Rajnath Singh described it as “a transformational initiative that has democratised defence innovation in India.” He said that over 650 startups have since emerged as winners under the scheme, with prototype procurements worth over ₹3,000 crore. “Through iDEX, we ensured that India’s talent works for India’s security. Today, this initiative is not just a programme but a movement shaping the future of Indian defence manufacturing,” he remarked. He also announced reforms in the Defence Procurement Manual (DPM-2025), offering assured orders for up to ten years, and said changes in the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) are underway to streamline trials and accelerate innovation. “Our aim is to make India not just a defence manufacturer but a defence innovator for the world,” he said.
Commending iDEX innovators such as Refi M. Fiber and Gravity Systems, recognised for their role in Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh said their achievements have drawn global recognition. “It is a matter of great pride when our soldiers salute the innovation born out of India’s own soil,” he added. The Defence Minister said the Ministry of Defence is partnering with the Department of Science & Technology, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, and leading financial institutions to ensure end-to-end support for startups. “Our objective is to build an ecosystem where every idea gets the opportunity to grow into a viable product, every prototype gets the chance to scale into production, and every innovation contributes to India’s defence preparedness,” he said.
He concluded that India’s defence innovation journey is “moving steadily from concept to creation and from vision to victory,” reaffirming the government’s commitment to building a secure and self-reliant future. The event, organised by iDEX under the Department of Defence Production (DDP), featured an exhibition of innovations developed under iDEX and ADITI, as well as panel discussions on scaling defence startups, bridging innovation and production, and accelerating Aatmanirbharta through R&D collaboration.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V. Kamat, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, and senior officials from the Armed Forces, defence PSUs and startups attended the event.
