New Delhi (Agency): India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, has emphasized the urgent need for domestic defence manufacturers to increase their investment in Research and Development (R&D). Speaking at the North Tech Symposium in Jammu, he stressed that capital investment in R&D is essential for India’s long-term growth and competitive standing in the global arena.
Rajnath Singh recognized that R&D could be a “risky venture” as it often requires innovative thinking and may not always yield immediate results. However, he pointed out that it remains a critical factor in the development of any nation. “We cannot become a developed nation just by imitating or transferring technology. We need to file our own patents, which requires a lot of investment in R&D,” Singh said.
He encouraged industry partners to develop a work culture that promotes R&D. In his view, connecting top institutes like IITs, IIMs, and IISCs with the defence sector can help create a robust R&D ecosystem. Singh also advised attracting top talent, both domestically and internationally, including managers, legal experts, and financial experts, to foster a conducive R&D environment.
Emphasizing the importance of modern Human Resources (HR) policies, the Raksha Mantri said, “The quality of work is more important than the number of hours worked. There should be a concept of senior and junior, not superior and inferior.” He also spoke on the need to involve women more effectively in R&D roles.
For accountability, Rajnath Singh proposed that the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) set up an independent body consisting of scientists and industry experts. This body would work transparently to evaluate products made by companies. “An internal quality check system will increase your credibility globally over time,” he explained.
He further called on SIDM to establish an internal vigilance mechanism to counter corruption and favoritism. Transparency in operations, he stressed, would help increase public trust in these institutions.
During his address, Singh also highlighted the steps taken by the government to support the domestic defence industry, mentioning that a synergy between the government and domestic companies had resulted in a record defence production of Rs one lakh crore and exports of Rs 16,000 crore in the financial year 2023-24.
The North Tech Symposium, held at IIT Jammu, witnessed participation from around 200 industry partners and offered a platform for knowledge sharing among stakeholders. The Raksha Mantri presented SIDM Champion awards to several industry partners for their contributions to the defence sector.
The call for greater investment in R&D by the Raksha Mantri comes at a time when India is aiming to be self-reliant in defence capabilities, aligned with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. This renewed focus on R&D may play a crucial role in shaping India’s defence industry for years to come.
