Build India as Drone Hub by 2030: Rajnath Singh
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At New Delhi’s National Defence Industries Conclave, Rajnath Singh, India’s Defence Minister, spotlighted drones’ game-changing role in contemporary conflicts from Europe to the Middle East. Counter-drone tech will define future defenses, he predicted.
To secure strategic independence, India requires a comprehensive self-reliant drone industry, producing all components locally despite global Chinese import reliance.
The gathering promotes domestic defense hardware, emphasizing MSMEs and private sector entry. Singh exhorted innovators: ‘Join us in mission mode with government backing to make India the drone manufacturing capital by 2030.’
A thriving ecosystem blends large firms, SMEs, startups, and policy direction. Transformative shifts often begin modestly, he noted.
With industry at 15-16% of GDP, MSME expansion via manufacturing is key. 2014-onward reforms, including digital portals, have doubled MSMEs to 8 crore from 4.67 crore.
Progress is evident: 58 prototypes approved (Rs 3,853 crore value), 45 contracts signed (Rs 2,326 crore). These validate the pivot from ideas to deployable tech, powered by startups and MSMEs. Singh urged all to embrace this national mission for a fortified future.
