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Ministry Of India

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh: India’s Defence Exports to Reach ₹29,000 Crore, Builder’s Navy Driving Self-Reliance

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh highlights record defence exports, GRSE shipyard modernization, and India’s vision to become a top global shipbuilding nation at Sagar Sankalp 2026.
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh: India’s Defence Exports to Reach ₹29,000 Crore, Builder’s Navy Driving Self-Reliance

Kolkata, 6 March 2026: India’s defence sector is rapidly moving toward self-reliance, with defence exports poised to reach approximately ₹29,000 crore by April 2026, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh announced at Sagar Sankalp 2026 – Reclaiming India’s Maritime Glory, a defence and maritime dialogue held in Kolkata.

Shri Singh emphasized that all warships and submarines on order for the Indian Navy are being built domestically, from design and engineering to construction and lifecycle support. “Self-reliance is no longer a slogan; it is a practical reality. A Builder’s Navy is a ground reality,” he stated.

The minister outlined a roadmap for India to become one of the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and among the top five by 2047, highlighting GRSE and other shipyards’ transformation into high-tech hubs with modernized infrastructure, digital design tools, and modular construction techniques.

Key Highlights Announced at Sagar Sankalp 2026:

  • Domestic defence production crossed ₹1.50 lakh crore in FY 2024-25, with private industry contributing 25%, expected to rise to 50%.

  • Steps to facilitate private sector participation include improved import-export processes, DRDO lab access, defence corridors, and liberalized FDI norms.

  • Maritime India Vision 2030 & Maritime Amrit Kaal 2047: Investments of ~₹3 lakh crore planned for world-class shipbuilding clusters.

  • Focus on MSMEs, startups, and indigenous vendors to foster a collaborative defence ecosystem, known as the Conglomerate Effect.

  • All naval vessels under construction domestically, ensuring India’s strategic autonomy.

 

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Shri Singh also noted that operations like Operation Sindoor and steps taken toward self-reliance demonstrate that India’s defence sector is on the right trajectory. “India’s maritime domain will be safe, prosperous, and strong if we continue coordinated planning, adopt technology, and create institutional synergy,” he said.

GRSE CMD Commodore PR Hari (Retd) remarked on India’s journey from a Buyer’s Navy to a Builder’s Navy, tracing the evolution from INS Ajay (1961) to the next-generation platforms under construction, reflecting technological transformation and growing indigenisation.

The conclave included senior naval leadership, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, focusing on:

  • Aligning naval shipbuilding with global geopolitical challenges

  • Strengthening domestic supply chains for sovereignty at sea

  • Expanding shipbuilding capacity to meet global trade and energy transition needs

  • Promoting India as a competitive destination for shipbuilding and repair

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