Self-reliance in defence is crucial for India’s strategic autonomy: Defence Secretary

4 months ago 1
ARTICLE AD BOX
 X/@SpokespersonMoD.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh speaks during Defence Skilling Conclave successful Chandigarh connected January 10, 2026. Photo: X/@SpokespersonMoD.

Self-reliance successful defence is not simply an economical nonsubjective but a necessity for achieving semipermanent strategical autonomy, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said connected Saturday (January 10, 2026).

“India is astatine a decisive infinitesimal successful its defence and concern journey, wherever self-reliance has emerged arsenic a nationalist imperative,” Mr. Singh said astatine the inauguration of the Defence Skilling Conclave connected Defence, Aerospace and Strategic Sector Skill Development successful Chandigarh.

“Guided by the imaginativeness of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, the assemblage has moved from import dependence to a vibrant ecosystem comprising defence nationalist assemblage undertakings, backstage industry, MSMEs (micro, tiny and mean enterprises), and start-ups,” helium said, referring to the translation of India’s defence concern ecosystem implicit the past decade.

Indigenous platforms, including the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, the Astra beyond ocular scope missile, Dhanush artillery guns, and INS Vikrant are shining examples of the increasing synergy among the industry, research, and skilled manpower, the elder authoritative said. “Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) successful defence is not simply an economical objective, but a necessity aimed astatine achieving semipermanent strategical autonomy. Evolving planetary proviso chains and rapidly advancing technologies contiguous some challenges and unprecedented opportunities for India’s defence sector,” helium said.

The Punjab authorities organised a high-level Defence Skilling Conclave, focused connected the defence, aerospace and strategical sectors, presided implicit by Aman Arora, State Minister of Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training.

Punjab contributes implicit 12% of the country’s soldiers contempt having lone 2% of the population, Mr. Arora said, adding that the State has a affluent bequest successful defence and is well-positioned to pull concern successful the defence industry, with planetary airports astatine Mohali and Amritsar, 1 of India’s largest aerial unit bases successful Adampur, and conducive, business-friendly policies and situation successful the State. “The authorities is moving intimately with manufacture leaders, acquisition institutions, and stakeholders to place accomplishment gaps and make targeted grooming programmes for the defence sector,” Mr. Singh said.

“In coming times, if immoderate State tin service the state the astir successful presumption of skilling for defence — digitally, psychologically and emotionally — it is Punjab,” helium said, adding that determination was a request for collaborative policy-making betwixt manufacture and the Central authorities to harness this potential, and presumption Punjab “as the nation’s steadfast shield”.

Published - January 10, 2026 10:09 p.m. IST

Read Entire Article