New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said defence research must remain a top priority to ensure India stays prepared for future warfare driven by rapid technological change.
He stressed that nations adapting quickly to technological shifts would gain a decisive edge. Moreover, he highlighted the growing role of surprise elements in modern conflicts.
Speaking at the North Tech Symposium in Prayagraj, he said warfare had evolved rapidly in recent years. Therefore, he called for proactive capability building to counter emerging threats.
He cited examples from recent global conflicts, noting that technologies such as drones and sensors had transformed battlefields within a short span. He added that even everyday tools could become weapons.
The Minister said the government had placed defence research at the centre of policy efforts. As a result, over 2,200 technologies have been transferred by DRDO to industries so far.
Emerging technologies drive defence research priorities
Rajnath Singh urged industry and academia to focus on areas such as hypersonic weapons, quantum technology, artificial intelligence and space systems. In addition, he called for progress in underwater and directed energy domains.
He said 25% of the defence R&D budget had been allocated to private industry, start-ups and academia. Consequently, these sectors had utilised over ₹4,500 crore to support innovation.
The Minister also highlighted policy reforms, including free access to DRDO patents and expanded testing facilities for industries. These steps aim to boost domestic capability and global competitiveness.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, he said it demonstrated India’s ability to deploy advanced indigenous systems with confidence. He added that such operations reflected evolving warfare strategies.
He noted that defence production reached a record ₹1.54 lakh crore in 2025–26. Meanwhile, exports touched an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore, indicating strong growth in the sector.
Rajnath Singh said initiatives such as iDEX and the Defence Industrial Corridor were strengthening the ecosystem. He added that global interest in Indian defence partnerships was rising steadily.
He emphasised the need for collaboration among forces, industry and academia. He said such coordination would help India build advanced capabilities and maintain strategic readiness.
