‘Security transcends borders, there is no peace in isolation’: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates Aero India 2025

“We often interact as buyers and sellers, where our relations are at a transactional level. However, at another level, we forge our partnership beyond the buyer-seller relationship to the level of industrial collaboration. We have many successful examples of co-production and co-development with like-minded countries. For us, there is no Indian security or Indian peace in isolation. Security, stability and peace are shared constructs that transcend national borders. The presence of our foreign friends is a testimony to the fact that our partners share our vision of one earth, one family, one future,” Singh said.

Citing global uncertainties, the minister said that India has never attacked any country nor has it been involved in any great power rivalry. “We have always been an advocate of peace and stability. It is part of our fundamental ideals,” he added.

Speaking about the allocation for defence in the recently announced Union Budget 2025-26, Singh said that the provision of Rs 6.81 lakh crore to the Ministry of Defence, including Rs 1.80 lakh crore for capital acquisition, is proof that the government considers defence a top-priority sector.

He added that like the previous budget, 75 per cent of the modernisation allocation has been reserved for procurement through domestic sources with an aim to widen and deepen the capabilities of India’s Defence Industrial Complex.

Singh said defence manufacturers are working with a collaborative approach to strengthen the sector, terming the joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus for the production of C-295 transport aircraft in Gujarat as a shining example of this cooperation. He added that today India has become a Globally Preferred Destination for Aerospace Components and Complex System Assembly and the public sector and private industries are playing an important role in this transformation.

Shedding light on the accomplishments achieved at the last Aero India, Rajnath Singh stated that a number of high-tech products such as Astra missile, new generation Akash missile, autonomous underwater vehicle, unmanned surface vessel, Pinaka guided rocket, etc are being manufactured within the country.

He voiced the Government’s unwavering resolve to surpass the Rs 1.27 lakh crore defence production and Rs 21,000 crore defence exports figures in the coming times, and ensure that the defence sector moves ahead at an unprecedented pace.

During the curtain raiser press conference of Aero India 2025 on Sunday evening, Singh had expressed confidence that defence production will exceed Rs 1.60 lakh crore by the end of 2025-26 and exports will surpass Rs 30,000 crore.

In his speech, Rajnath Singh also compared Aero India to the Mahakumbh Mela which is currently underway in Prayagraj. “While Mahakumbh is the Kumbh of introspection, Aero India is the Kumbh of research. While Mahakumbh is focusing on internal strength, Aero India will centre on external strength. While Mahakumbh showcases the culture of India, Aero India will display the power of India,” he added.