Rajnath Singh Sets Defence Export Target Of Rs 50,000 Crore By 2029, Emphasises Readiness For Non-Traditional Warfare

On Monday (30 December), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that India's defence exports have experienced a significant increase, reaching a record sum of Rs 21,000 crore, a substantial leap from Rs 2,000 crore a decade prior.

Speaking to officers at the Army War College (AWC) within the over two-hundred-year-old Mhow Cantonment, Singh revealed that a goal has been established to reach defence exports worth Rs 50,000 crore by the year 2029.

He emphasised the importance of mastering cutting-edge technologies in these rapidly changing times. He further noted the vital role that military training centres are fulfilling, by preparing soldiers to face future challenges effectively.

In his address, Singh pointed out the dramatic shift in warfare tactics, highlighting that non-traditional approaches such as information warfare, warfare based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), proxy warfare, electromagnetic warfare, space warfare, and cyber-attacks are presenting significant challenges.

He emphasised the importance of having a well-prepared and well-equipped military to fend off potential attacks, praising the training centers in Mhow for their significant contributions. He also stated that equipment manufactured in India is now being shipped to various other countries.

The Defence Minister stated that the Modi administration is dedicated to enhancing unity and collaboration among the three military branches. "In the times to come, the armed forces will be able to face challenges together in a better and more efficient way," he added.

He urged officials to consider the potential of fostering unity by providing training in various areas. These include weapons training at the Infantry School, AI and communication technology at the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), and leadership at both junior and senior command levels in AWC.