Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on 3 November 2026 that India aims to achieve defence production worth ₹3 lakh crore and defence exports of ₹50,000 crore by 2029. He announced the targets at a meeting of the Ministry of Defence’s Consultative Committee in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
Production, exports and modernisation
India’s defence production rose from ₹46,429 crore in 2014–15 to a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025–26. Defence exports increased from less than ₹2,000 crore in 2014 to about ₹40,000 crore in 2025–26. India now exports defence products to more than 80 countries; private-sector exports contributed ₹17,353 crore in 2025–26.
The Union defence budget for 2026–27 was ₹7.85 lakh crore, including ₹2.19 lakh crore in capital outlay for modernisation and capital procurement. Singh said the government aims to strengthen the domestic defence ecosystem, strategic autonomy and indigenous military capabilities, while reducing reliance on foreign sources.
Committee discussions covered emerging security challenges, next-generation platforms and weapons, and stronger integration and joint planning among the three services. The meeting also addressed technology, personnel preparedness and a phased approach to military modernisation.
Important Facts for Exams
- Consultative-committee status: Unlike departmental standing committees, ministry Consultative Committees are informal forums for MPs and lack statutory scrutiny powers.
- Indigenous procurement category: Under Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, Buy (Indian-IDDM) is the top-priority procurement category for equipment indigenously designed, developed and manufactured.
- Chief of Defence Staff role: The Chief of Defence Staff heads the Department of Military Affairs and serves as permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, promoting tri-service coordination.
- SCOMET export controls: India’s SCOMET list classifies items on the Munitions List under Category 6, placing many military goods within the export-control framework.
Exam Summary
On 3 November 2026, Rajnath Singh announced at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, targets of ₹3 lakh crore defence production and ₹50,000 crore exports by 2029. Production reached ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025–26; exports were ₹40,000 crore, including ₹17,353 crore from private firms, to 80+ countries. The 2026–27 defence budget is ₹7.85 lakh crore, with ₹2.19 lakh crore capital outlay. DAP 2020 prioritises Buy (Indian-IDDM); CDS heads DMA and Chiefs of Staff Committee.
