India’s defence sector is growing at 6–7% a year, but the government wants more. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh says the next leap can only happen if private industry steps up—especially in research and development (R&D).
Speaking at a CII event in New Delhi on May 29, the defence secretary made it clear: the time for half-measures is over. “We’ll bury you in orders,” Singh told industry leaders, “but you must invest more in R&D.”
The government has been spending consistently. For the first time in years, the entire defence modernisation budget was fully used in the last fiscal year. That’s rare. Historically, red tape and slow procurement meant money often went unspent.
This shift is good news—but only if it sparks innovation.
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The Real Battlefield? Innovation Labs
India is at a strategic sweet spot globally. It’s doing well in defence deals, tech partnerships, and international positioning. But the core issue remains: not enough private sector firepower in R&D.
Licensing issues, procedural delays, and endless paperwork still choke the system. Singh called out these problems directly, urging reforms to streamline defence procurement and make business easier.
He’s not just asking for help—he’s promising a payout. Orders will come, he says, but innovation must come first.
Singh’s comments come just weeks after a four-day military face-off with Pakistan—a sharp reminder that defence readiness isn’t just a peacetime talking point. With rising regional threats and evolving tech, India can’t afford to lag.
The good news? India’s industrial base is getting smarter. The bad news? We’re still playing catch-up on making our own high-tech weapons systems.
And while defence spending is now 1.9% of GDP, Singh believes it’s enough to meet current needs—if we spend it wisely and invest in homegrown innovation.
The goal is atmanirbharta—self-reliance. Not just in assembling foreign-made gear, but in designing, testing, and building our own. As Singh put it, modern wars aren’t just fought with bullets—they’re won with algorithms.
India doesn’t lack talent. It lacks risk-taking in defence R&D.
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