Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh participated in a controllers' conference organized by DRDO and delivered a significant message to the officers. He stated, “You have organized a controllers' conference, but I believe that your minds should be open and receptive.”
DRDO: India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh openly shared his thoughts on several crucial issues at the controllers' conference organized by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Friday. During the event, he emphasized India's growing defence capabilities, its increasing global influence, and future strategies.
Rajnath Singh said, "You have organized a controllers' conference, but we must remember that our thinking should always remain open and receptive. The responsibility of the Defence Ministry is not limited to managing data and paperwork; it is also linked to our national security and the morale of our soldiers."
He added that when the officers and personnel of the Defence Ministry work with sincerity, it directly benefits the soldiers who are deployed on the borders to protect the country.
The world is watching India's defence sector
The Union Minister also highlighted that in operations like 'Sindoor', India has shown the world not only its military capabilities but also the superiority of indigenous defence equipment. Rajnath Singh mentioned that this has rapidly increased the demand for indigenous defence products. He stated, "The world is watching us. The bravery of our soldiers and the capabilities of our equipment have attracted the attention of foreign markets. In 2024, global military expenditure has exceeded 2.7 trillion dollars. This is a huge market, which has brought opportunities for us."
He said that India should take advantage of this opportunity and further strengthen its defence exports, and for this, all departments need to work with better coordination.
Defence Budget: Larger than the GDP of many countries
Rajnath Singh also stated at the conference that India's defence budget is larger than the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of many countries, which clearly shows that the people of the country have placed their trust in the government in the field of defence. He said, "We have a great responsibility to use this budget in the right way, for the right purpose, and at the right time, so that its effectiveness is maintained. It is not enough to just increase the budget, but it is also necessary to use it with a strategic approach."
New initiatives for transparency in the defence sector
The Defence Minister called the permission for capital procurement through the GeM (Government e-Marketplace) portal a historic decision. He said, "The Defence Acquisition Council has, for the first time, permitted major defence deals through the GeM portal. This will increase both transparency and speed." Also, he appreciated DRDO's efforts towards a comprehensive salary system and centralized data management.
Rajnath Singh also said that in the current global scenario, there is a need to strengthen defence preparedness "in times of peace." He said, "The world is once again moving towards armament. In such a situation, we have to go one step further in defence economics. When there is a sudden demand for any equipment or technology, we get into a hurry. All this needs to be planned in advance and systematically."
He appealed to all officers to bring more transparency and efficiency in financial management, procurement process, and project implementation, so that the Indian defence industry can move forward rapidly towards self-reliance.
