Rajnath Singh, India's Defence Minister,spotlighted Gujarat in India's drive for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Speaking at fourth Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Vadodara on June 30,2026,he praised state's industrial power,skilled workforce and innovative spirit as keys for building a defence tech hub.
Singh noted India's progress in defence production and exports over last decade,but said journey to full self-reliance continues. Domestic production soared from ₹46,000 crore in 2014 to nearly ₹1.78 lakh crore today. Exports surged too,jumping from ₹1,000 crore to ₹39,000 crore.
“However, I consider this to be merely the beginning,” Singh said,arguing Gujarat's role could be pivotal for reaching self-reliance. He spoke of shift from import reliance to fostering homegrown defence ecosystem,driven by private firms and startups.
Key initiatives pushing this change include Make in India,the Defence Acquisition Procedure, and Technology Development Fund. Singh noted government has streamlined licensing,relaxed foreign investment rules to attract more defence investment.
Gujarat's role highlighted by hosting India's first private military aircraft manufacturing facility — Tata-Airbus C-295 program in Vadodara. Also home to K9 Vajra artillery system.
Singh emphasized future wars,economic growth will hinge on tech like semiconductors,AI, quantum computing, space tech. Semiconductor hubs in Sanand,Dholera set to boost India's tech independence . Gujarat's strengths in engineering,chemicals, ports,shipbuilding,green energy will support future defence tech.
Calling Gujarat the "growth engine" of India's economy,Singh reflected on Vibrant Gujarat's rise since 2003 under Narendra Modi. It's now global platform for investment,fitting with India's 2047 vision of development…
