India to build warships domestically, boosting Aatmanirbhar Bharat
New Delhi
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday announced that India’s warships will be manufactured domestically, reinforcing the Modi government’s vision of an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ to enhance national security and strategic autonomy. Speaking at the NDTV Defence Summit 2025, Singh said nearly 75 per cent of new warships are designed locally, highlighting India’s growing self-reliance in defence technology.
The announcement follows the commissioning of two Nilgiri-class stealth frigates, INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri, equipped with advanced weapon and sensor systems for a wide range of maritime operations. Singh noted that recent ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s military response to the April Pahalgam terror attack, demonstrated the effectiveness of indigenously developed air defence systems in protecting civilian and military infrastructure.
“Operation Sindoor may seem like a short conflict, but it reflects years of strategic preparation and defence readiness,” Singh said, underlining that precise strikes were the result of long-term planning and coordination.
He also emphasised the economic benefits of domestic defence production, noting that India’s arms exports have surged from under Rs 700 crore in 2014 to nearly Rs 24,000 crore today. “India is no longer just a buyer; it is becoming a global exporter,” Singh remarked.
The Defence Minister stressed that advancing indigenous capabilities would strengthen India’s global stature, safeguard the nation, and ensure a leading position among emerging world powers.
