Nagpur, June 19, 2026 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday underscored the continuing importance of conventional warfare and military preparedness, asserting that traditional defence capabilities remain as relevant today as they were at the time of India’s Independence in 1947 and will continue to be vital in the decades ahead.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of a 10,000-tonne aluminium extrusion press facility at the state-owned Yantra India Limited (YIL) in Ambajhari, Nagpur, Singh emphasized the need for strengthening India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical military components.
The upcoming facility is expected to play a key role in manufacturing strategic aluminium components required by the defence sector, thereby enhancing India’s self-reliance and reducing import dependency.
Highlighting lessons from global conflicts, Singh pointed out that international supply chains often face disruptions during times of war, making domestic manufacturing capabilities indispensable for national security.
“In such a scenario, every nation wants essential items to be manufactured domestically,” the Defence Minister said.
He stressed that a country capable of meeting its own strategic and industrial requirements can move forward with greater confidence and resilience.
Conventional Military Strength Still Matters
Addressing evolving security challenges, Singh rejected the notion that conventional warfare has lost relevance in the era of emerging technologies and hybrid conflicts.
“Conventional warfare and means are still relevant, as they were in 1947,” he stated.
The Defence Minister further asserted that conventional military capabilities would continue to hold strategic importance even in 2047, when India marks 100 years of Independence.
According to Singh, this enduring relevance makes the development of a strong military-industrial base a national priority for the future.
Record Growth In Defence Production And Exports
Highlighting India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities, Singh noted that the country’s defence production has witnessed a remarkable rise over the past decade.
He revealed that India’s defence production crossed ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, a substantial increase from approximately ₹46,000 crore in 2014.
The Defence Minister also highlighted the rapid growth in defence exports, stating that exports have surged from around ₹1,000 crore in 2014 to nearly ₹40,000 crore today.
The figures, he said, reflect the success of the government’s push towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and the transformation of India into an emerging global defence manufacturing hub.
The establishment of the new aluminium extrusion press facility at Yantra India Limited is expected to further strengthen India’s defence production infrastructure, support indigenous weapon systems, and contribute to the nation’s long-term strategic preparedness.
