Operation Sindoor showed strength of indigenous defence systems: Rajnath Singh
New Delhi, Jan 27: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated how indigenous defence systems are strengthening India’s operational readiness, highlighting the growing role of home-grown technology in the armed forces. Addressing DRDO’s Best Performing Scientists and Technical Personnel, who were special guests at the 77th Republic Day Parade, Mr Singh said technologies developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation were effectively used on the battlefield during Operation Sindoor.
He said self-reliance in defence has become a national mindset under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Stressing the need to stay ahead in a fast-changing, technology-driven world, the Defence Minister urged DRDO scientists to think innovatively, work faster and not shy away from taking risks. He said modern warfare demands speed in decision-making and deployment, calling it a shift from the “survival of the fittest” to the “survival of the fastest”. Rajnath Singh called for reducing the time taken from research to deployment and said timely induction into the armed forces should be the key measure of success. He also stressed closer collaboration with industry, academia, public sector units, start-ups and MSMEs, citing the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas as a successful example of joint development.
Highlighting the government’s push for self-reliance, the Defence Minister said India’s defence exports have grown from under Rs 1,000 crore in 2014 to about Rs 24,000 crore today. He said the target is to raise exports to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029–30, urging DRDO to keep export potential in mind while designing systems such as drones, radars, and electronic warfare equipment.
At the event, Rajnath Singh presented awards under the DRDO Award Scheme 2024, including the Dr Bhagavantam Technology Leadership Award and the Dr Nagchaudhuri Lifetime Achievement Award. A book on the development of the indigenous Akash missile system was also released. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat and senior scientists and technical staff were present at the function.
