Defence minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting of the Consultative Committee of the ministry of defence on ‘Modernisation of Indian Defence Forces’ in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan on November 3. The meeting witnessed comprehensive deliberations on the emerging security challenges, warfare paradigms, technological advancements and the imperative of building a future-ready, technologically empowered and operationally agile military. The key focus areas emerging from the meeting include:

Singh stated that the defence budget for the Financial Year 2026-27 was increased to a record Rs 7.85 lakh crore, including a capital outlay of Rs 2.19 lakh crore earmarked for modernisation and capital procurement, reflecting the commitment to meeting the operational requirements of the defence forces while bolstering domestic defence industries and manufacturing capabilities.

He added that defence production has risen from Rs 46,429 crore in FY 2014-15 to a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, with defence exports, which stood at less than Rs 2,000 crore in 2014, growing to approximately Rs 40,000 crore. “We aim to achieve defence production worth Rs 3 lakh crore and defence exports worth Rs 50,000 crore by 2029,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh underlined the transformative role of technology in modern warfare, stating that technological advancements are integral to the changing character of conflicts. In this context, he highlighted the initiatives undertaken by DRDO in developing advanced weapons, missiles and systems, adding that the government is providing a level playing field to the private sector, enabling greater participation of entities ranging from MSMEs to large corporations in the defence ecosystem.

“The rapidly evolving nature of warfare necessitates that our defence forces remain aligned with the changing requirements of modern warfare. Keeping this in mind, all three Services have continuously refined their structures and formations. The Indian Army’s new formations, including the ‘Asani’, ‘Bhairav’ and ‘Shaktiban’ platoons, are proving highly effective in addressing contemporary operational requirements and adapting to the changing dynamics of the battlefield,” he said.

The meeting witnessed valuable suggestions by members of Parliament from both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. Their diverse perspectives and insights enriched the consultative process, bringing in important legislative, strategic and national perspectives. The deliberations translated into a clear roadmap for action, with emphasis on prioritising critical capabilities, strengthening coordination among stakeholders, streamlining acquisition and development processes, and periodically assessing progress against defined objectives.