'We’ll Bury You In Orders': Defence Secretary Pushes For Private Sector R&D Surge

Last Updated:May 30, 2025, 12:32 IST

Speaking at CII Summit, Defence Secretary Rajesh Singh highlighted the full potential of defence sector would only be realised through stronger private sector participation.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh addresses the CII Annual General Meeting & Business Summit 2025. (Image: PTI)

In a strong pitch for deeper industry involvement, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh urged India’s private sector to ramp up investment in research and development (R&D), assuring them of robust order books in return. His comments came during the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) Annual Business Summit 2025, held just days after the successful Operation Sindoor, which showcased India’s indigenous military strength on the global stage.

Addressing industry leaders, Singh stated emphatically, “We’ll bury you, the private sector, in orders — but there is a need for greater investment in R&D from your side." The defence secretary highlighted that while public sector undertakings and government-backed initiatives had led to consistent growth in recent years, the full potential of India’s defence sector would only be realised through stronger private sector participation.

Operation Sindoor, conducted earlier this month, demonstrated the combat-readiness of Indian-made systems like the Pinaka rocket launchers and Akash missile defence systems, which outperformed Chinese counterparts in field simulations as India struck terror sites and airbases in Pakistan and intercepted drones and missiles launched from Pakistan. The success has elevated global interest in Indian defence exports, creating a ripe opportunity for private firms to scale up their capabilities.

Despite India’s defence expenditure decreasing to around 1.9 per cent of GDP, Singh stressed that the funds available are sufficient for modernisation goals if efficiently utilised. “Last year, for the first time in many years, the capital budget was fully spent. Procurement decisions are happening faster now," he noted.

Singh also addressed systemic hurdles, acknowledging that remnants of the “licence raj" still obstruct industry entry. He emphasised ongoing government efforts to streamline licencing and procurement, reduce bureaucratic red tape, and facilitate a more dynamic defence ecosystem.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who also spoke at the summit, echoed the call for self-reliance. “India cannot remain dependent on others for its security needs. Our goal is not just import substitution but also becoming a global hub for defence manufacturing," he said. He praised the success of Operation Sindoor as evidence of India’s evolving military competence and technological edge.

Rajnath Singh also reiterated the government’s long-term goal of positioning India among the top defence exporters, stating, “Our indigenous solutions are now proven on the battlefield. We are no longer just a buyer — we are a builder."

The summit concluded with a unified call for synergy between policy, innovation, and industry — laying the groundwork for India’s defence ambitions in the coming decades.

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