Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar said India is close to finalising collaboration with a global engine manufacturer to co-develop fighter jet engines with DRDO.

Pune

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Friday said Operation Sindoor has acted as a wake-up call, highlighting the need for stronger adaptation to modern nuclear warfare. Speaking at the Defence Tech 2025 Seminar – STRIDE in Pune, he stressed the importance of research and development (R&D), noting that India currently spends only 0.66% of its GDP on R&D, with most of it through public sector agencies like the DRDO.

Singh said the private sector’s role remains limited, but the government is working to change this. Around 25% of the DRDO’s Technology Development Fund (TDF) is now earmarked for private firms, and a ₹1 lakh crore research fund has been set up under the Department of Science and Technology. In the past three years, nearly ₹1,500 crore has already been provided to start-ups and private companies under TDF.

On indigenous defence efforts, Singh highlighted that 81% of India’s defence spending last year was domestic, exceeding the government’s 75% target. He added that raising the defence budget was unnecessary as long as the existing allocation is used effectively, noting that capital expenditure can grow 10–15% annually to meet armed forces’ needs.

He also said India is close to finalising collaboration with a global engine manufacturer to co-develop fighter jet engines with DRDO, a process expected to take a decade. Efforts are also underway to reduce reliance on foreign marine engines.

The STRIDE seminar, themed Atmanirbharta through Partnership, brought together senior Army leaders, academia, industry, and research bodies to promote innovation, reverse engineering, and disruptive technologies. Singh said such partnerships are vital for building a self-reliant defence ecosystem capable of meeting future challenges.