Rajnath Singh calls for 'Aatmanirbharta 2.0': advanced tech, resilient supply chains for defence

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday (October 26, 2026) called for a second phase of self-reliance in the defence sector — described as 'Aatmanirbharta 2.0' — with a focus on advanced technologies, stronger research and development (R&D), and resilient domestic supply chains aimed at reducing import dependence.

Speaking at SWAVLAMBAN 5.0, the fifth edition of the Indian Navy's Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar in New Delhi, Mr. Singh said the next phase must build on gains made over the past decade and concentrate on technologies that were earlier considered difficult to develop within the country.

The Minister said India must manufacture products that are cost-effective, operationally superior and globally competitive. He added that defence innovators with a futuristic vision and scientific discipline could become key contributors to these goals.

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

On research and development, the Minister sought greater private sector participation and funding mechanisms capable of supporting high-risk, high-reward projects. He said India must build a research culture that treats failure as an opportunity to learn, while strengthening industry-academia collaboration and encouraging young people to take up careers in innovation.

Mr. Singh also proposed a 'Dual Technology Roadmap' to identify technologies with both civilian and military applications. He said indigenisation efforts should go 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 risen 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 discuss emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, autonomous systems and hypersonics.

The push for deeper indigenisation comes amid a wider effort to expand domestic defence manufacturing and exports. Officials have repeatedly flagged that self-reliance in critical components — from specialised alloys to advanced electronics — remains a work in progress, and that supply chain resilience requires sustained investment in testing, certification and skilled manpower.

The seminar's focus on start-ups reflects a growing reliance on private innovation to meet military requirements. The iDEX scheme, which pairs small firms with the armed forces, has become a key route for such partnerships, though industry representatives have in the past sought quicker procurement cycles and clearer pathways from prototype to production.

Mr. Singh's remarks did not include specific funding commitments or deadlines beyond the call for a time-bound roadmap. The Ministry of Defence is expected to work with the Services and industry bodies on the technology lists and timelines outlined at the seminar.