Our focus should no longer be on what India needs to buy from the world. Our focus should be on what the world wants to buy from India. This is what Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said. Singh said that Operation Sindoor demonstrated the importance of indigenous weapons to our country. During Operation Sindoor, the world witnessed the capabilities of India’s indigenous weapon systems.
Rajnath Singh made this statement on Sunday while laying the foundation stone for five defense projects. These are five new facilities of GRSE and Yantra India Limited in West Bengal. GRSE is one of the country’s leading warship construction establishments, with experience in building over 800 ships. Rajnath Singh said, “Our goal should be quality that the world trusts, price that the world chooses, and delivery that the world orders again and again.” GRSE’s growing capabilities will enhance its presence in the global market.
He explained that GRSE has the technical know-how, a skilled workforce, and will now have expanded capabilities. You must fully utilize this. Along with the Navy’s order, you are currently building 12 cargo ships for a German company. This is completely in line with our Make in India, Make for the World vision. As your capabilities increase, you will have to bid more aggressively in both domestic and international markets.
Rajnath Singh said, “Going forward, the Ministry of Defense, along with our laboratories, our public sector enterprises, and private stakeholders, will leave no stone unturned to equip our armed forces with indigenous platforms. We have proven that self-reliance is not just a policy. Self-reliance is a battlefield capability multiplier. And the role of GRSE and Yantra India Limited will be extremely important in this initiative.”
The Defense Minister said that if we become a hub for ship repair and overhaul in the Indian Ocean region, it will not only save foreign exchange but also create thousands of jobs. Even today, our warships are helping secure our energy supplies through conflict zones around the world.
He said that we cannot depend on any country in the defense sector. Our own indigenous companies and research institutes must achieve complete dominance in this field. And today’s five projects reflect that strategic autonomy.
Rajnath Singh said, “Today we are performing the groundbreaking ceremony and laying the foundation stone for five very important projects worth approximately Rs. 3,500 crores. These include three new shipbuilding facilities of GRSE – Raichak Shipyard, Timber Pond Howrah Shipbuilding Facility, and Damodar Complex Shipbuilding Facility. In addition, the foundation stone is being laid for two state-of-the-art metallurgical facilities of Yantra India Limited: a 3,000-tonne capacity hydraulic open die forging press and a radial forging plant.” These five projects reinforce the spirit of self-reliance, Make in India, and Make for the World.
He said that institutions like GRSE and Yantra India Limited are proof that Bengal’s industrial base is reinvigorating. These projects, starting here, will not only boost defense production but also create employment opportunities for MSMEs, allied industries, and thousands of people. In a way, these projects will mark a new chapter in Bengal’s socio-economic progress.