Archive · 26 Sep 2026
India Urged to Build Large, Diversified Defence Industry
India wants to make many more weapons at home.
A defence official said India produces only about 200 to 300 missiles each year.
He compared this with a Ukrainian company that makes 100 missiles and 1,000 drones every month.
India has traditionally relied heavily on one missile maker, Bharat Dynamics.
The government is encouraging more private companies to join defence manufacturing.
It has also set aside Rs 1.85 lakh crore for buying defence equipment this fiscal year.
Supporters say stronger domestic production could reduce risks from depending on foreign suppliers.
The goal is to build a large, modern and innovative defence industry that can produce equipment quickly.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said India must substantially expand missile and drone production.
Singh compared India’s output of 200–300 missiles annually with a Ukrainian company producing 100 missiles and 1,000 drones monthly.
He said India’s traditional reliance on Bharat Dynamics highlighted the need to widen private and industrial participation.
The government allocated Rs 1.85 lakh crore for capital acquisition this fiscal, about 24% above the 2025–26 allocation.
The proposed defence ecosystem would link established manufacturers, private companies, startups, MSMEs and research institutions while reducing import dependence.
- Who
- Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, the Indian government, defence manufacturers, private companies, startups, MSMEs and research institutions.
- What
- India is being urged to expand and diversify its domestic defence-industrial base, especially for missiles and drones.
- When
- The remarks were made at News18’s DEFCON 2026; the related capital-acquisition allocation applies to the current fiscal year.
- Where
- India, with comparisons drawn to missile and drone production in Ukraine.
- Why
- To reduce vulnerability from unpredictable foreign suppliers and ensure sufficient production capacity amid regional security concerns and modern warfare demands.
- Speaker
- Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh
- Indian missile output
- Approximately 200–300 missiles per year
- Ukrainian production comparison
- One Ukrainian company was cited as producing 100 missiles and 1,000 drones per month
- Capital acquisition allocation
- Rs 1.85 lakh crore for the current fiscal year
- Budget increase
- Approximately 24% above the 2025–26 capital-acquisition budget
- Traditional manufacturer
- Bharat Dynamics was described as India’s traditional missile-production provider
- Proposed approach
- Build a large, diversified, technologically sophisticated and resilient defence-industrial ecosystem