Rajnath Singh calls for ‘Aatmanirbharta 2.0’ in defence, stresses advanced technologies and resilient supply chains

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday (October 26, 2026) called for ‘Aatmanirbharta 2.0’ in the defence sector, with a focus on developing advanced technologies, strengthening research and development (R&D) and building resilient domestic supply chains to reduce import dependence and achieve technological superiority.

Addressing the fifth edition of the Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar, SWAVLAMBAN 5.0, in New Delhi, he said the next phase of self-reliance must build on the gains made over the past decade and focus on technologies that were considered difficult to develop indigenously.

Mr. Singh stressed that India must manufacture products that are cost-effective, operationally superior and globally competitive, adding that defence innovators with futuristic vision and scientific discipline could emerge as key players in achieving these objectives.

Describing supply chain management as a strategic imperative linked directly to national security, he called for a dynamic roadmap with clear timelines for indigenisation, identification of critical technologies and industries, and assessment of resources required. He pointed to dependencies on raw materials such as rare earth elements and the absence of certain technologies domestically, stressing the need to prepare for potential disruptions in supply routes.

Highlighting the importance of R&D, the Minister called for greater private sector participation and funding mechanisms that could support high-risk, high-reward projects. He said India must develop a research culture that treats failure as an opportunity to learn, while strengthening industry-academia collaboration and encouraging young people to pursue careers in innovation.

Mr. Singh also called for a ‘Dual Technology Roadmap’ to identify technologies with applications in both civilian and military sectors. He said indigenisation efforts should extend beyond the existing Positive Indigenisation Lists and cover technologies relevant to civil and military shipping, all three Services and the Coast Guard.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan said Navy-specific iDEX challenges had increased from 20 in 2022 to 229, accounting for about 35% of all defence iDEX challenges. The Navy has received 41 Acceptance of Necessity approvals worth over ₹3,500 crore and signed 25 contracts valued at more than ₹1,900 crore.

The two-day seminar, being held on October 26 and 27, brings together the armed forces, industry, start-ups and academia to explore emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, autonomous systems and hypersonics.