Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Modi government has changed India’s old defence mindset to modernize the nation's security capabilities [1].
This shift represents a fundamental transition in how India manages its military procurement and production. By moving away from outdated strategic thinking, the administration aims to reduce reliance on foreign imports and establish India as a global hub for defence manufacturing.
Speaking June 30, 2026, at the Republic Forces First Conclave in Vadodara, Singh said the outdated mindset was the biggest challenge the government faced after coming to power [1, 2]. He said that overcoming this barrier was the first major step taken by the administration to ensure the country's security interests were met through innovation and indigenous growth [1, 2].
"We have changed India’s old defence mindset," Singh said [1].
The minister linked this psychological shift to tangible economic growth in the military sector. According to government data, India’s defence exports rose from around Rs 1,000 crore in 2014 to approximately Rs 39,000 crore in 2026 [2]. This increase reflects a broader strategy to transition from a primary importer of arms to a significant exporter of military technology.
Singh said that the current approach prioritizes self-reliance, and the integration of domestic industry into the national security framework [1]. The conclave in Vadodara served as a forum to discuss these advancements and the ongoing efforts to streamline the defence ecosystem — a process the government views as essential for long-term sovereignty [2].
“"We have changed India’s old defence mindset."”
The reported surge in defence exports suggests that India is successfully pivoting toward 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) in the military sector. By framing the change as a 'mindset' shift, the government is signaling that the barrier to modernization was as much bureaucratic and cultural as it was financial or technical. This transition is critical for India's ambition to become a net exporter of high-tech weaponry while reducing strategic vulnerability to foreign supply chain disruptions.
