Rajnath Calls for Faster Defence Production, Inaugurates Advanced Weapon System Complex in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, June 12 (TNT): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday stressed that technological superiority alone was insufficient without robust production capabilities and called upon DRDO, the armed forces and industry partners to function as an integrated ecosystem to ensure rapid induction of indigenous technologies.
Addressing scientists and officials after inaugurating the Advanced Weapon System Complex at the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) here, Rajnath Singh said India must equip its armed forces with state-of-the-art systems in adequate numbers and within required timelines to effectively meet future security challenges.
.The Defence Minister urged DRDO to reduce development-to-production timelines, simplify manufacturing processes, increase indigenous content and develop systems capable of being mass-produced whenever required.
Praising DRDO’s Missile Systems and Strategic Systems Cluster, Rajnath Singh said the organisation had played a key role in strengthening India’s technological capabilities, strategic autonomy and national security.
He said the successful performance of indigenous missile systems during Operation Sindoor reflected the growing strength of the country’s defence research and development ecosystem.
“The systems developed by DRDO, such as Akash and BrahMos, have demonstrated India’s ability to compete in the global defence technology arena. Strength is essential for peace, and self-reliance is the strongest foundation of that strength,” he said.
Highlighting the role of air defence systems during Operation Sindoor, the Defence Minister said India had effectively countered aerial threats and underscored the importance of building a multi-layered missile defence architecture.
Referring to the proposed ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day address in 2025, Rajnath Singh said the initiative would evolve into a comprehensive multi-level missile defence system designed to protect military installations, critical infrastructure and civilian assets.
The Defence Minister noted that emerging technologies such as precision-strike systems, integrated air defence networks, hypersonic weapons, autonomous platforms, artificial intelligence and electronic warfare were reshaping modern warfare.
“In the current global environment, nations must possess both resilience and deterrence. Resilience enables a country to absorb shocks and recover quickly, while deterrence ensures that adversaries understand the consequences of hostile actions,” he said.
Rajnath Singh credited DRDO with strengthening India’s resilience and deterrence capabilities and said the inauguration of the new facility symbolised the nation’s resolve to remain prepared, capable and self-reliant in the face of future challenges.
Highlighting initiatives taken by the government over the past 12 years to promote defence research and development, he said enhanced collaboration among DRDO laboratories, defence public sector undertakings, private industry, start-ups, MSMEs and academia had significantly strengthened the country’s defence ecosystem.
Expressing confidence in DRDO’s future role, he said the organisation would continue to enhance national capabilities, reduce technological dependence and improve the operational preparedness of the armed forces.
During the visit, the Defence Minister also toured a technical exhibition showcasing advanced weapon systems, indigenous missile platforms and other cutting-edge defence technologies developed by DRDO.
Director General (Missile and Strategic Systems) U. Raja Babu, DRDL Director Dr Ankathi Raju and senior DRDO officials were present on the occasion.
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