India Must Remain Prepared: Rajnath

New Delhi: Defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday that peace time is nothing but an “illusion”, and that India must remain prepared for uncertainty even during periods of relative calm.

Mr Singh said the valour displayed during Operation Sindoor and the demonstration of domestic equipment had further increased the global demand for the country’s indigenous products.

“The world is looking at our defence sector with new respect. A single delay or error in financial processes can directly affect operational preparedness,’ he said while addressing the controllers’ conference of the the Defence Accounts Department (DAD).

“Most of the equipment we once imported is now being made in India. Our reforms are succeeding because of the clarity of vision and commitment at the highest level,” he said.

Addressing the larger geopolitical context, Mr Singh mentioned the rising global military expenditure reaching $2.7 trillion in 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, and said this opens up tremendous opportunities for India’s indigenous defence industries. He stressed that with the focus on “Atma Nirbharta in Defence”, India’s industries must be prepared for the global demand shift and play a larger role in exports and innovation.

“Our effort is to ensure that decisions are taken swiftly so that we can begin manufacturing larger engines right here in India and that this journey begins with the hands of Indians,” he added, reaffirming the government’s commitment to building advanced indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.

Highlighting the increasing strategic and economic significance of the defence sector, Mr Singh called for a shift in perception from defence spending as mere expenditure to an economic investment with a multiplier impact. “Until recently, defence budgets were not seen as part of the national economy. Today, they are growth drivers,” he added. He mentioned that India, along with the rest of the world, was entering a new phase of re-armament, marked by capital-intensive investments in the defence sector. He urged the department to incorporate Defence Economics in its planning and assessments, including social impact analysis of R&D projects and dual-use technologies.

The defence minister also referred to the recently launched Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, with a budget of Rs 1 lakh crore, which prioritises defence sector innovation and procurement of high-end technology. He highlighted the fact, for the first time, the Defence Acquisition Council had approved the acquisition of weapon systems through the capital route, and urged the department to be

prepared for financial activities related to this shift.

“Peace time is nothing but an illusion. Even during periods of relative calm, we must prepare for uncertainty. Sudden developments can force a complete shift in our financial and operational posture. Whether it’s stepping up equipment production or adapting financial processes, we must be ready with innovative techniques and responsive systems at all

times,” Mr Singh said. He urged the DAD to incorporate this mindset into its planning, budgeting and decision-making systems.

Mr Singh urged the department to move towards faceless and time-bound payment systems to encourage increased participation from private players in defence manufacturing. “The more efficient and transparent your processes, the greater the confidence in our system,” he stated.

Mr Singh emphasised even small errors in the department’s

processes can have significant consequences. “At the place where you are working, if you make even a small mistake, then the soldiers do not get the necessary resources on time. Due to our negligence, there can be a problem in budget allocation and it directly affects operational readiness,” he emphasised.

Mr Singh congratulated the defence secretary and other officers for achieving full utilisation of the capital budget in the earlier financial year, and expressed confidence that the department would maintain the same fiscal discipline going forward. He stressed that financial planning should focus not only on budget growth, but also on efficiency-led growth, ensuring the right deployment at the right time for the right objective.

“Let us all pledge to remain alert, agile, and adaptive so that our work remains relevant and impactful. Our responsibility is immense, and every decision we make contributes to the larger vision of national security and self-reliance,” Mr Singh said.