Mumbai: The government has been serious about promoting the defence production industry in the country through the private sector and is open to incorporating meaningful suggestions on policy and procedures, a top government official said on Thursday.
Addressing a session virtually at the ICC Global Summit 2025, Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar emphasized that the primary objective of self-reliance is to make the country independent of foreign agencies in sustaining a war.
“Government has been very serious in promoting defence production industries in this country through the private sector and will continue to do so. We are open to all meaningful suggestions to be incorporated in our policies and procedures so that participation of the private sector becomes more efficient and meaningful,” Kumar said.
He added that a level playing field between the private sector and public sector has largely been created. “Though I understand many of you might have different perspectives, I believe—and I am open to discussion whenever it is possible—that those perceptions are based on certain viewpoints. But lastly, in both revenue and capital procurement, the level playing field has been created,” he explained.
Highlighting self-reliance as a primary government goal, Kumar said, “Self-reliance means that in terms of adversarial conditions on the border, in unfortunate situations where we have to fight a war, we should not be dependent on other forces or foreign countries to sustain our war. That is the primary objective.”
To achieve this, he noted, it is essential to develop our own capabilities—not only in manufacturing but also in design—with complete control over the platforms used, without relying on outside agencies.
“It also means having complete control over technology, supply chain, and material. That is the goal and must be kept in mind by all of us, including our industries, as we aspire toward a long-term journey in the sector,” Kumar stressed.
While acknowledging that the industry may remain dependent on others for certain items, components, or technologies in the short term, he affirmed that this “cannot be, would not be, and shall not be the eternal choice. That is not the choice of the government.”
“The choice of the government is to have complete control of today’s technology and create capabilities for tomorrow’s technology,” he added.
Kumar concluded by emphasizing the importance of investment in research and development, saying, “Expenditure on R&D, improving our capabilities, not looking for the short-term play but focusing on the long-term, needs to be the buzzword.”
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/government-bolsters-military-manufacturing-through-private-sector-says-defence-production-secretary-kumar