New Delhi: India’s defence framework must be built on its own strength rather than relying on uncertain foreign support, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday.
Addressing the NDTV Defence Summit, Singh announced that the government aims to provide comprehensive aerial security to all critical installations under the proposed Sudarshan Chakra air defence system within the next decade. The shield, he said, will combine both defensive and offensive capabilities to counter any potential threats.
Highlighting lessons from Operation Sindoor, Singh noted the growing importance of air defence in modern warfare and described the Sudarshan Chakra mission as a “game changer.”
The announcement follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech, where he unveiled the ambitious air defence project. It also came shortly after reports that Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, hinted at targeting Indian assets in the event of future hostilities.
Singh stressed that shifting geopolitics underscore the urgency of reducing external dependency. “In today’s environment, self-reliance is critical for both our security and our economy,” he said.
Calling the defence sector not only the cornerstone of national security but also a driver of economic strength, Singh added: “It is not just about safeguarding people, territory, or borders—it is about protecting the entire economy.”
He further clarified that indigenisation should not be mistaken for protectionism. “In defence, self-reliance is not protectionism. It is sovereignty, autonomy, and self-confidence,” the minister asserted.
