India Urges Defence Sector Innovation Following Operation Sindoor

India’s Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, has called for a significant enhancement in research and development (R&D) within the country’s defence sector. Speaking at the Defence Tech 2025 Seminar – STRIDE in Pune on September 12, 2023, Singh emphasized the urgent need to move away from reliance on public sector innovations, which he described as no longer sustainable in the rapidly changing global security environment.

Operation Sindoor has been identified as a critical point of reflection for India’s armed forces, exposing vulnerabilities and underscoring the necessity for quicker adaptation to modern warfare, including potential nuclear threats. Singh stated, “Our current R&D spending stands at just 0.66% of GDP, with two-thirds of it coming from the public sector. That model cannot take us forward.” He highlighted the minimal involvement of the private sector in defence R&D, urging immediate changes to rectify this gap.

In response to these challenges, Singh announced a plan for the government to allocate 25% of the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Technology Development Fund (TDF) specifically for private companies and startups. Over the past three years, approximately Rs 1,500 crore has already been disbursed to non-public entities under this initiative. Additionally, Singh pointed out a dedicated Rs 1 lakh crore research fund established by the Department of Science and Technology, aimed at fostering innovation in the defence sector.

The emphasis on domestic procurement was also a key topic, with Singh reaffirming India’s commitment to allocate at least 75% of its defence budget to local sources. He noted that in the last financial year, 81% of defence spending was directed towards domestic initiatives. Addressing concerns about financial constraints, he confirmed that the Finance Ministry is ready to increase capital expenditure by 10–15% annually, provided that existing budgets are utilized efficiently.

Singh also provided updates on a long-term collaboration with a global jet engine manufacturer in partnership with the DRDO for the development of indigenous fighter engines, a project that could take up to a decade to complete. Efforts to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers for marine engines are also underway, signaling a broader strategy to enhance self-reliance in defence technologies.

The Defence Tech 2025 Seminar – STRIDE, organized by the Southern Command of the Indian Army, focused on promoting ‘Atmanirbharta’ or self-reliance in defence through collaboration among the armed forces, industry, and academia. The seminar, themed “Atmanirbharta through Partnership,” gathered influential stakeholders to discuss reverse engineering, industry-supported academic research, and the DRDO’s role in accelerating disruptive technologies.

High-ranking military officials, including Lt. Gen. Dhiraj Seth, GOC-in-C of the Southern Command, participated in discussions aimed at establishing a robust and self-sustaining defence industrial base. The overarching goal is to expedite the development of indigenous systems to address future national security challenges effectively.