Rajnath Singh Calls for Mission Mode Push to Establish India as Global Drone Manufacturing Hub
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday underscored the critical and urgent necessity of constructing a comprehensive drone production ecosystem within the country. This initiative aims to ensure strategic autonomy, significantly enhance national defence preparedness, and achieve self-reliance in this crucial technological domain, especially in light of current geopolitical uncertainties.
Geopolitical Conflicts Highlight Drone Warfare Importance
During his address at the inaugural session of the National Defence Industries Conclave in New Delhi, Singh pointed to ongoing global conflicts as definitive proof of the transformative role of unmanned systems. "The ongoing conflicts, ranging from the Russia-Ukraine war to the tensions between Iran and Israel, are proof that drones and counter-drone technologies are destined to play a pivotal role in future warfare," the Defence Minister stated emphatically.
He stressed that achieving 'atmanirbharta' or self-reliance in drone manufacturing is not merely about final assembly but must extend deep into the supply chain. "From drone moulds to its software, engines and batteries, everything must be manufactured in India. This is no easy task," Rajnath Singh acknowledged, noting that in most drone-manufacturing nations, a significant portion of critical components are currently imported from China.
Government Initiatives and Private Sector Collaboration
The minister outlined a collaborative vision for building this ecosystem. He asserted that while the creation of a nation's defence industrial base relies on contributions from large industries, MSMEs, startups, and innovators, it is equally propelled by clear, tailored policy support from the government. Rajnath Singh called for active participation from the private sector while extending the government's full backing to transform India into a global hub for indigenous drone production.
He specifically highlighted flagship programs like iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) and ADITI (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX) as game-changing initiatives. These platforms provide startups, innovators, and MSMEs with opportunities to develop novel solutions addressing the specific operational requirements of the Indian defence forces.
Tangible Progress in Defence Innovation
Providing concrete data to demonstrate momentum, the Defence Minister revealed significant milestones achieved through these innovation channels. "As of February 2026, 676 startups, MSMEs and individual innovators have joined the defence innovation ecosystem since the inception of iDEX in 2018," he reported.
The breakdown of achievements includes:
- 548 contracts signed with innovators.
- 566 specific technological challenges launched for the industry to solve.
- 58 prototypes that have received clearance for procurement, with a cumulative value of approximately Rs 3,853 crore.
- 45 procurement contracts already finalized, worth nearly Rs 2,326 crore.
"These figures demonstrate that innovation is gradually materialising into tangible products and technologies, and the role played by our startups and MSMEs in this transformation is steadily gaining strength," Rajnath Singh concluded, reinforcing his call for a concerted, mission-mode effort to position India at the forefront of the global indigenous drone manufacturing landscape.
