New Delhi: India’s defence manufacturing has reached a new milestone with production worth Rs 1.51 lakh crore in 2024–25, of which Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) contributed nearly 72 per cent. Defence exports have also touched Rs 6,695 crore reflecting growing international confidence in India’s indigenous systems, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday.
Chairing a comprehensive review meeting of all 16 DPSUs at the newly inaugurated DPSU Bhawan in New Delhi, Singh congratulated four enterprises — Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), India Optel Limited (IOL), and Munitions India Limited (MIL) — for being granted Miniratna (Category-I) status. He said the recognition was a testament to their efficiency, autonomy and contribution to the country’s defence sector.
“The excellent performance of our DPSUs in operations like Operation Sindoor shows the strength and reliability of our indigenous platforms. This is proof that Made in India defence products are now gaining global respect,” the minister said.
He urged the DPSUs to accelerate indigenisation, strengthen R&D, and enhance product quality and delivery timelines. “India must now move from licensed production to indigenous design and development. The government will extend all necessary support to achieve this,” Singh added.
At the event, three key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed among DPSUs. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will support Yantra India Limited (YIL) in setting up a 10,000-ton forging press facility to cut import dependence on aluminium alloys. Another MoU was signed with MIDHANI to establish a “Metal Bank” to ensure an uninterrupted supply of critical raw materials.
In a push for green defence manufacturing, Singh launched SWAYAM — a sustainability initiative under the Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Action Plan (CEEAP) 2023 — highlighting renewable energy adoption and carbon reduction efforts across the sector. He also felicitated IOL and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for achieving 100 per cent renewable energy usage, calling their achievement a “landmark in sustainable defence production.”
The Defence Minister also inaugurated the new DPSU Bhawan, envisioned as a collaborative hub for all 16 DPSUs under the motto “Sangachhadhwam Samvadadhwam” (Move together, dialogue together). The state-of-the-art facility aims to boost synergy, innovation and export potential in India’s defence industry.
