Vadodara, June 30
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said investment in the defence sector generated benefits beyond national security by supporting industrial development, employment, infrastructure and technological innovation.
Addressing industrialists, entrepreneurs and investors at the valedictory session of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC), Singh said defence manufacturing had become an important component of India's broader economic development strategy.
"Every investment made in defence becomes the foundation not only of national security but also of economic growth, industrial progress and national prosperity," he said.
Singh said defence corridors and manufacturing facilities created opportunities across logistics, infrastructure, research and development while strengthening the country's industrial ecosystem.
"The creation of defence corridors generates new opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, industry and employment. The promotion of research and development, technology and innovation strengthens the entire industrial base," he said.
The minister said the government had simplified defence licensing procedures, liberalised foreign direct investment policies and established defence industrial corridors to encourage private investment.
He added that reforms, including the Srijan Portal, iDEX, Defence Testing Infrastructure, Green Channel Certification and Self-Certification, had expanded opportunities for MSMEs and start-ups.
"Our objective is to create a defence ecosystem where innovation, industry and self-reliance together will strengthen the security capabilities of a new India even more than before," he said.
Singh said Gujarat possessed the industrial capacity to become a major defence manufacturing hub.
"Gujarat has a robust industrial base, a skilled workforce and an entrepreneurial spirit that can play a very significant role in this journey towards self-reliance," he noted.
He cited the Tata-Airbus C-295 aircraft manufacturing project in Vadodara as India's first private-sector military aircraft manufacturing facility and described it as "a historic milestone in India's aerospace journey".
Singh also referred to the manufacture of the K-9 Vajra self-propelled artillery system in Gujarat, saying it had strengthened the armed forces' capabilities.
He said Gujarat's chemical, petrochemical, electronics, shipbuilding and port sectors could support advanced defence manufacturing by producing specialised materials, avionics, sensors, communication systems and naval equipment.
The minister also highlighted the state's progress in renewable energy and green hydrogen, saying these sectors could contribute to future defence technologies.
"Gujarat possesses the entire ecosystem required for a defence manufacturing hub, and I firmly believe that Gujarat can become a major hub for defence manufacturing," he noted.
Singh urged Gujarat's industrialists and young innovators to use the state's strengths in industry, innovation and entrepreneurship to contribute to India's defence manufacturing ambitions. "Together, these three strengths can take India to new heights in defence manufacturing," he said.
He added that the Ministry of Defence regularly organised seminars and webinars to facilitate engagement with industry and provide information on investment opportunities and government policies.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good intentions, but execution matters more. The Srijan Portal and iDEX are promising, but MSMEs still face bureaucratic hurdles. My uncle runs a small engineering firm in Coimbatore and he says getting defence contracts takes years of paperwork. We need to speed up the process if we really want 'aatmanirbhar' in defence. Still, glad to see the government's focus shifting.
The C-295 project in Vadodara is indeed historic - first private sector military aircraft manufacturing plant in India! Imagine the technology transfer, the skills development for local workers, the ancillary industries that will emerge. This is what 'Make in India' should look like. Kudos to Tata and Airbus for taking the leap. 🇮🇳
I'm cautiously optimistic. Defence corridors sound great on paper, but we've seen SEZs and industrial corridors that didn't deliver fully. The real test will be whether these defence investments translate into jobs for local youth in Gujarat and beyond. Also, we must ensure quality and timelines - no use having 'indigenous' products if they don't match international standards. Let's watch the ground reality.
What excites me most is the mention of green hydrogen and renewable energy for defence applications. As someone working in the solar sector, I can see huge potential - imagine military bases powered by solar, or hydrogen fuel cells for remote outposts. This dual-use technology approach is smart. Defence needs can drive innovation that benefits everyone. 💡
As a student researching
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.