India Targets ₹50,000 Crore in Defence Exports by 2030: Rajnath Singh

India’s defence sector is on a rapid trajectory towards self-reliance, with exports expected to reach Rs 50,000 crore by 2029-30, according to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Speaking at the 65th Foundation Day celebrations of IIT Kanpur, Singh emphasized the government’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative as a catalyst in achieving this goal. Addressing the youth, he urged them to innovate and focus on high-end technologies to further India’s self-reliance and realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat.” He described institutions like IIT Kanpur as essential “academic engines” propelling India forward in a highly competitive global environment.

Singh noted that government initiatives have already shown results, as India’s defence exports, which were just Rs 600 crore a decade ago, surpassed Rs 21,000 crore in the 2023-24 fiscal year. Expressing confidence in maintaining this momentum, he underscored the need for self-sufficiency in defence technology, particularly given the changing landscape of global warfare, where technological advances such as drones, cyber warfare, and precision-guided missiles dominate. Singh identified reliance on foreign high-end technology as the biggest barrier to achieving complete self-reliance, but he assured the government’s commitment to bringing academia, industry, and the private sector together to overcome this challenge.

Singh highlighted several initiatives supporting this vision, including the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) program, which provides funding to start-ups developing defence technology. The “Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX” (ADITI) scheme was also launched to further support start-ups, offering grants of up to Rs 25 crore for advancements in critical defence technologies. According to Singh, initiatives like iDEX and ADITI not only bolster national security but also provide a launchpad for innovation, encouraging institutions like IIT Kanpur to help transform ideas into practical applications.

During the event, Singh visited an exhibition organized by IIT Kanpur’s Start-up Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), where 23 start-ups showcased their advancements in defence technology. Innovations included autonomous systems, AI-driven surveillance tools, and next-gen communication devices. Singh engaged with the founders, acknowledging their contributions to India’s defence landscape and national security. The exhibition highlighted IIT Kanpur’s ongoing commitment to defence innovation, further demonstrated by signing MoUs with organizations like BEML, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and Kanpur University to enhance military logistics, defence innovation, and incubation efforts.

The ceremony also included the announcement of new DRDO projects led by Secretary of Defence Research and Development Samir V. Kamat, who presented funding sanction letters. Additionally, SIDBI’s support through a matching offer for iDEX-funded start-ups provides crucial funding that further strengthens India’s defence sector. In alignment with IIT Kanpur’s tradition of celebrating technological progress, Singh led a commemorative tree planting to signify the institution’s commitment to sustainable innovation and self-reliance in defence.

Summing up his message, Singh called on India’s youth to become active participants in the journey towards self-reliance and a developed nation by 2047. He concluded by reminding the audience of the adage, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” emphasizing the importance of collective effort to achieve India’s defence and technological goals. With representatives from DRDO, IIT Kanpur, and other distinguished alumni in attendance, the event marked another step forward in India’s journey to become a global leader in defence technology.