Pune, Oct 16: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday lauded ‘Operation Sindoor’ as a prime example of India’s self reliance in the defence sector, noting that most equipment deployed during the operation was indigenously manufactured. He made the remarks while addressing the 6th convocation of Symbiosis Skills & Professional University in Pune.
“We have embarked on a journey to make India self-reliant in defence. Initially, this was challenging because we were transforming a system long dependent on foreign procurement. Since Independence, India relied heavily on other countries for weapons, and indigenous production was minimal,” Singh said.
He emphasized that India has now “broken the barrier” that existed since 1947, with significant strides in domestic weapon manufacturing. “The journey was not easy. For decades, the nation had grown accustomed to importing defence equipment. There was neither political will nor a supportive legal framework, and even the youth lacked motivation to contribute to self-reliance in defence,” he added.
The Defence Minister underscored the bravery and operational efficiency of the armed forces during Operation Sindoor, launched in May this year following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which claimed 26 lives. “Operation Sindoor is the finest example of self-reliance in India’s defence sector, as the majority of the equipment used was indigenous,” he said.
Singh further stressed that India’s commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence has yielded visible results, demonstrating the country’s growing capability to design, manufacture, and deploy advanced military technology domestically.