 "India developing swadeshi drones, seeks to end dependence on foreign weapons: Rajnath Singh")
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday that India has initiated work on developing swadeshi (indigenous) drones as part of its broader push toward achieving self-reliance in the defence sector.
In an exclusive interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, Singh said, “We have started work on swadeshi drones. We don’t wish to depend on other nations for weapons, and the progress in this area is good.”
Singh said India will procure additional S-400 missile systems from Russia, calling the move essential for safeguarding national security.
Speaking about the country’s key strategic programmes, Singh said the nuclear submarine project is advancing as planned and “is not delayed.”
He also praised the performance of the Rafale fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, describing them as “brilliant,” and noted that BrahMos missiles proved highly effective in the same operation.
Singh further said that the export of BrahMos missiles to other countries would “massively impact” India’s defence export figures, boosting the country’s stature as a global arms supplier.
The Defence Minister also said that the delivery of MQ-9 drones from the United States is expected to proceed as per the scheduled timeline.
“We want that defence systems be made on Indian soil, by Indians,” he said, emphasising that India has achieved “massive progress” in the defence sector through the government’s ongoing indigenisation drive.
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