Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday asserted that any future terrorist attack originating from Pakistan would invite an even stronger response from India, declaring that the country’s approach to counterterrorism had shifted from diplomatic condemnation to decisive military action.
Addressing a Defence Conclave in New Delhi, Singh cited Operation Sindoor, the Balakot airstrikes and the surgical strikes as defining examples of India’s resolve to eliminate terrorism at its source. He emphasised that while India remained committed to peace and dialogue, its commitment should never be mistaken for weakness.
“Any terror act originating from Pakistan would invite an even stronger response,” the Defence Minister warned, reiterating India’s determination to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests.
Singh said that since 2014, the operational effectiveness of security forces had improved significantly, with the “shelf life” of most terrorists falling to less than a year after they take up arms against India.
‘Emerging Threat of ‘White-Collar Terrorism’:
Highlighting the changing nature of security challenges, the Defence Minister called for heightened vigilance against emerging threats, including lone-wolf attacks and what he described as “white-collar terrorism”.
He identified a new spectrum of security challenges under the ‘5D Security Threat’ framework—Disinformation, Destabilisation, Disruption, Deception and Destruction—warning that terrorism was evolving beyond conventional, organised networks in an increasingly digital and technologically advanced environment.
According to Singh, identifying radicalised individuals and preventing attacks has become more complex, requiring stronger intelligence capabilities, public awareness and coordinated action by security agencies and citizens.
Referring to a recent incident involving a co-pilot who allegedly attempted to crash a passenger aircraft, he also praised Captain Smit Machhar for his courage in averting a potential catastrophe.
The incident, he said, highlighted both the danger posed by lone-wolf attackers and the critical role individuals can play in preventing major security threats.
Singh stressed that the fight against terrorism could not depend solely on security agencies, adding that alert, informed and responsible citizens were essential to identifying warning signs and thwarting potential attacks.
From Hard Power to ‘Smart Power’:
Emphasising the need to adapt to hybrid warfare and rapidly evolving technologies, Singh called for a comprehensive defence strategy combining military strength, technological innovation and cost-effective solutions.
He advocated a shift towards “smart power”, integrating precision-guided weapons and loitering munitions with affordable weapon systems, human intelligence with artificial intelligence, and advanced platforms with agile and adaptable technologies.
The Defence Minister said India’s growing confidence in its military capabilities reflected sustained reforms, improved operational methods and a transformation in the country’s defence preparedness under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Over the past 12-and-a-half years, he said, the government had moved beyond meeting immediate military requirements towards building a self-reliant and future-ready defence ecosystem.
Push for Defence Self-Reliance:
Singh highlighted the expansion of India’s domestic defence manufacturing sector, attributing its growth to regulatory reforms, improved ease of doing business and greater participation by private industry.
He said more than 500 companies were now engaged in defence manufacturing, supported by the issuance of hundreds of new industrial licences.
Under the Defence Acquisition Procedure, the government has prioritised domestic procurement, including through the ‘Buy Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured’ category. Singh noted that 75 per cent of the defence modernisation budget had been earmarked for procurement from Indian industries.
He also underscored the growing role of start-ups, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), individual innovators and major corporations in strengthening the country’s defence capabilities.
Describing this shift as a transition from a ‘Whole of Government Approach’ to a ‘Whole of Country Approach’, and progressively towards a ‘Whole of the People Approach’, Singh said national security had become a collective responsibility guided by the principle of ‘Nation First’.
Operation Sindoor Highlights Indigenous Capabilities:
Singh described Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of India’s growing technological capabilities and the confidence of its armed forces in indigenous defence systems, including the Akash missile system and BrahMos.
He said the operation reflected the increasing contribution of India’s domestic defence industry to national security.
According to the Defence Minister, the armed forces had issued five positive indigenisation lists covering 509 items, with a sixth list being prepared for release. Defence Public Sector Undertakings had separately identified 5,012 items for indigenisation, of which 3,255 had been indigenised.
The government’s broader push for self-reliance, Singh said, was transforming the defence sector into a more diversified industrial ecosystem involving public-sector enterprises, private manufacturers, MSMEs, supply-chain partners and innovation centres.
Defence Production and Exports Reach Record Levels:
Highlighting the sector’s expansion, Singh said India’s defence production had risen to a record level of more than ₹1.78 lakh crore, compared with approximately ₹40,000 crore in 2014.
Defence exports had also reached an all-time high of ₹39,000 crore, up from ₹686 crore in 2013–14, with Indian defence products reaching nearly 100 countries.
The government, he said, was targeting defence production worth ₹2 lakh crore in the current year and ₹3 lakh crore by 2029, alongside defence exports of ₹50,000 crore by 2029.
Singh attributed the growth in exports to measures aimed at simplifying procedures, including the Defence EXIM Portal, online approvals, the Open General Export License, streamlined quality certification and the ‘Green Channel’ policy.
These initiatives, he said, had improved the competitiveness of Indian manufacturers and strengthened the country’s credibility in international defence markets.
Start-ups and Innovation Drive Defence Modernisation:
The Defence Minister also highlighted the growing importance of research, development and innovation in achieving self-reliance.
Initiatives such as Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), iDEX Prime and the ADITI scheme have created opportunities for start-ups, MSMEs and young innovators to develop advanced defence technologies.
Singh said the Ministry of Defence had approved the procurement of goods and services worth more than ₹2,400 crore from start-ups and MSMEs and sanctioned projects exceeding ₹1,500 crore for new technology development.
As of March 2026, iDEX had engaged 676 start-ups and innovators and facilitated 551 contracts. From a few dozen defence start-ups in 2018, the ecosystem had expanded to more than 2,000 enterprises working in areas including drones, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, cybersecurity and robotics.
He also pointed to the transformation of the former Ordnance Factory Board following its corporatisation, saying the expanding network of public and private stakeholders was creating a stronger domestic defence industrial base.
Greater Self-Reliance in Ammunition and Equipment:
Singh said India was making significant progress in reducing dependence on foreign defence supplies. Of the 175 ammunition variants used by the armed forces, 159 were now being manufactured domestically, representing more than 90 per cent self-reliance in ammunition variants.
He also highlighted India’s exports of bulletproof jackets to more than 100 countries, noting that the country was the fourth in the world to establish a national standard for such jackets aligned with international norms.
The Defence Minister cited the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme and the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff as significant measures to strengthen the armed forces and the wider defence framework.
Concluding his address, Singh expressed confidence that India would emerge as a developed nation by the centenary of its independence in 2047, providing global leadership across technology, economic development and defence.
He reiterated that India’s vision of peace would remain firmly backed by military preparedness, technological advancement and a robust, self-reliant defence industry.
