Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Defence on ‘Modernisation of Indian Defence Forces’ in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan on Nov 3, 2026.  

The meeting witnessed comprehensive deliberations on emerging security challenges, warfare paradigms, technological advancements and the imperative of building “a future-ready, technologically empowered and operationally agile military.” 

Singh highlighted the Government's sustained focus on budgetary support and capital acquisition to meet the modernisation requirements, stressing that adequate financial resources, coupled with effective utilisation and prioritisation of critical needs of the Services are essential to strengthening military capabilities.

While stating that the defence budget for FY 2026-27 was increased to a record Rs 7.85 lakh crore, including capital outlay of Rs 2.19 lakh crore earmarked for modernisation and capital procurement, he said that it reflected the Govt’s commitment to meeting the operational requirements of the Defence Forces while bolstering domestic defence industries and manufacturing capabilities.

On growing ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence, the Defence Minister said that domestic defence production has risen from Rs 46,429 crore in FY 2014-15 to a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, with defence exports, which stood at less than Rs 2,000 crore in 2014, growing to approximately Rs 40,000 crore. 

“We aim to achieve defence production worth Rs 3 lakh crore and defence exports worth Rs 50,000 crore by 2029,” Singh added.

Underlining the transformative role of technology in modern warfare, he said that technological advancements are integral to the changing character of conflicts. 

He highlighted the initiatives undertaken by DRDO in developing advanced weapons, missiles and systems, adding that the Govt. is providing a level playing field to the private sector, enabling greater participation of entities ranging from MSMEs to large corporations in the defence ecosystem. 

Describing it as a 'whole-of-the-nation' approach, Singh expressed satisfaction at the growing contribution of private industry towards strengthening the defence capabilities of the country.

Underscoring the importance of human capital, he stated that the strength of a military is determined not merely by technology and financial resources, but also by the capabilities & preparedness of personnel. 

“The rapidly evolving nature of warfare necessitates that our Defence Forces remain aligned with the changing requirements of modern warfare. Keeping this in mind, all three Services have continuously refined their structures and formations. 

“The Indian Army’s new formations, including the ‘Asani’, ‘Bhairav’ and ‘Shaktiban’ platoons, are proving highly effective in addressing contemporary operational requirements and adapting to the changing dynamics of the battlefield,” the Defence Minister said.

Singh emphasised that modernisation is not just about procuring new weapons and equipment, but it entails enhancing the operational readiness of the Defence Forces, equipping them with modern technologies and developing indigenous capabilities for the long term. 

Underlining the significance of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in the context of national security, he highlighted that the focus is to build a robust domestic defence ecosystem that aligns technological development with military requirements, encourages greater participation of Indian industry, and reduces the country’s strategic dependence on foreign sources. 

“Strategic autonomy and indigenous technological capabilities are essential to safeguarding national security,” he said. Modernisation is a continuous process, necessitating sustained efforts to enhance operational preparedness in response to evolving technologies, shifting security challenges and changing requirements, he stated further.

Emphasised on the need to build long-term capabilities that would enable the Defence Forces to remain operationally effective and self-reliant, he called for sustained promotion of research & development, indigenous technologies, greater industrial participation and innovation to strengthen India’s defence capabilities.

The meeting witnessed valuable suggestions by Members of Parliament from both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. Their diverse perspectives and insights enriched the consultative process, bringing in important legislative, strategic and national perspectives, the Defence Ministry said.

Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Ex-servicemen Welfare) Sukriti Likhi, Secretary (Defence Finance) Vishvajit Sahay and other senior civil and military officials attended the meeting.