From the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi on August 15, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised the need for ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence and called for India to emerge as a global supplier of next-generation defence technologies.

“There is no alternative to being self-reliant in defence. When countries around the world are increasingly thinking about their own interests, Bharat cannot simply remain a market for the world. We must develop drones and counter-drone systems, and take leadership in hypersonic defence technologies,” the Prime Minister said in his address on the occasion of 80th Independence day.

Reiterating the Government’s resolve to realise the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, PM Modi asserted that the nation should no longer live by depending on other countries. 

“There may be many things available in the world that are cheaper and can be obtained more quickly. But relying on them does not build our own capabilities, nor does it test the strength of our capabilities. Therefore, we must strengthen our own capacities and protect our own interests ourselves. 

“That is why we are moving forward with a firm resolve for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The hearts of Indians are connecting with initiatives like ‘Make-in-India’, ‘Swadeshi’, ‘Vocal for Local’,” he said.

The Prime Minister added that cybersecurity is also an area of defence where the nation can harness the capabilities of the youth for the benefit of the country and the world.

PM Modi underscored the need to focus on indigenous defence equipment while enhancing the capabilities of the defence forces to stay prepared in the current changing times. 

“The nature of warfare is changing today; there is no longer a guarantee that conflict will be confined to the borders. Modern warfare can target refineries, the banking sector, or data centers, in a sense, a new form of combat where infrastructure and factories are being destroyed. We announced ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’ some years ago, and work on it is progressing rapidly,” the Prime Minister said.

Highlighting the transformations witnessed in India’s defence sector in the last 12 years, the Prime Minister stated that defence production has increased nearly fourfold. He added that defence exports have risen by almost 50 times, with Indian weapons reaching about 100 countries. 

“Whether the challenge is within or beyond the borders, India is prepared for any situation… India’s reputation is gradually increasing on the global stage,” he said.

While emphasising that building a secure India is the responsibility of every citizen, he called for enhanced preparedness to deal with emerging threats. 

“The civil defence systems that have developed in our country in accordance with the wars of the last century have become outdated. In the coming days, we will create a vibrant network of civil defence. We will familiarise them with modern systems. We are going to create a huge voluntary force of civil defence to overcome modern challenges,” he said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the growing role of Nari Shakti in nation-building, including in the Defence Forces. “Our daughters graduating from the NDA are demonstrating the capability to lead the nation’s military with great confidence and authority,” he said.