Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who reviewed the annual performance of 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) in New Delhi, has urged them to focus on timely delivery, reducing import dependency, transforming R&D into technology leadership, enhancing defence exports to newer heights, increasing productivity with their capex expansion, supporting start-ups & MSMEs further, and making efforts to achieve quality equivalent to global standards. 

Lauding the DPSUs for their steadfast contribution to strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and advancing the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, the Defence Minister said that all the 16 DPSUs were showing their achievement in multi sectors. 

He congratulated the organizations for their continued dedication and excellence. 

In the year 2025-26, India achieved defence production worth approx. Rs 1.8 lakh crore with DPSUs contributing Rs. 1.29 lakh crore, the Defence Minister said, terming the achievement a reflection of the nation’s significant progress towards building an Aatmanirbhar defence industrial base.

Rajnath Singh reviewed the annual performance of the DPSUs on Tuesday, Sept 01, 2026. During a meeting, Singh along with Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth, were briefed by Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar and the Chairmen & Managing Directors (CMDs) of the DPSUs on their performance, key achievements, and future roadmap. 

The Defence Minister reviewed the progress made by the DPSUs in enhancing indigenous production and manufacturing capabilities, development of advanced defence technologies, increasing defence exports, strengthening supply chains and execution of major projects.

“The progress of DPSUs is not merely an economic or industrial necessity; it is a national security imperative. Recent global conflicts have demonstrated how crucial assured supply chains, surge capacity, critical spares, rapid repair capabilities, and the ability to sustain production during prolonged conflicts are for any nation,” Singh said.

Welcoming the increased investment in R&D by the DPSUs, he stated that the success of R&D should be measured not just by the amount spent, but by the development of new technologies, intellectual property, prototypes, and operational products. 

“We must identify niche technology areas where India can become not just self-reliant, but a global leader,” he said.

The Defence Minister urged the DPSUs to continue focusing on elevating the quality of their products to global standards. 

“In pursuit of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ objective, we must resolve to transform all DPSUs into global giants,” he said.

During the event, CMDs of seven DPSUs – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), BEML, and MIDHANI – presented dividend cheques, worth a total of Rs 3,951 crore for the Government's equity shares to the Defence Minister for FY 2025-26.

On the occasion, Singh released four books namely ‘Aatmanirbhar DPSU - A journey of DPSUs towards Self-Reliance’ on indigenisation of items, new products to be developed and new processes to be adopted for the next five years; DISHA, an initiative for industries’ interaction with students for the young minds’ hands-on awareness on defence technologies & modern manufacturing processes; Modernisation Roadmap of HAL to transform it into a future-ready aerospace enterprise; and Indigenisation Roadmap of HAL to achieve greater self-reliance in aero & defence sector. 

The publications highlight the efforts towards self-reliance, indigenisation, innovation and building future-ready defence capabilities, the Defence Ministry said.