Bengaluru: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said around 65-70% of weapons and defence platforms are currently being made in India unlike ten years ago when most of the items would have to be imported.

“While 65-70% of defence equipment was imported a decade ago, today almost the same percentage of weapons/platforms are being manufactured on the Indian soil,” the minister said at the valedictory event of Aero India 2025.

Many Indian defence products including fighter jets, missile systems and naval vessels were catching the attention of the world.

“From small artillery to large platforms like Brahmos and Akash missile systems, we are exporting a variety of products to many countries,” he said.

India’s defence industrial complex comprises 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings, 430 licensed companies and nearly 16,000 MSMEs. In addition, with its current share of 21% in total defence production, the private sector is playing an active role. …

The time has come for the private industry to take a lead in the defence manufacturing sector in India, the minister said.