Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has highlighted India’s major transformation in defence manufacturing and exports in his Independence Day eve message to the armed forces. Defence exports have surged from ₹686 crore in 2013-14 to a record ₹38,424 crore in 2025-26, while domestic defence production has reached ₹1.78 lakh crore. Singh said India is emerging as a global defence manufacturing power, with products now exported to more than 80 countries. He also outlined the government’s focus on military modernisation, indigenous production, R&D and a self-reliant defence sector. Show more Show less