Drones to Decide Future Wars, India Must Achieve 100% Self-Reliance: Rajnath Singh at National Defence Industry Conclave 

National Defence Industry Conclave: Rajnath Singh Pushes for ‘Made in India’ Drones, AI, and Robotics

New Delhi, March 19, 2026 — Underlining the rapidly changing dynamics of global conflict, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a strong message to the domestic arms industry today: the future of warfare belongs to drones and autonomous technology, and India cannot afford to rely on foreign nations for its security.

Speaking at the National Defence Industry Conclave in New Delhi on Thursday, the Defence Minister pointed to the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, to highlight the decisive role of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Lesson from Global Conflicts

“The entire world is watching these ongoing wars closely. The biggest lesson for us is that drones and anti-drone technologies will be the deciding factors in future battles,” Rajnath Singh stated.

He stressed that India must urgently build a robust and completely self-reliant ecosystem for drone manufacturing to safeguard its strategic independence and national security. Addressing the heads of leading domestic defense companies and top government officials, he warned against the dangers of dependency, urging the industry to eliminate the need for importing critical technologies.

100% ‘Made in India’ — Down to the Last Component

While praising the strides India has made, the Defence Minister clarified that true Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in the defense sector means much more than just assembling imported parts.

Singh set a challenging but necessary benchmark for the domestic defense sector: every single component of a drone—from the physical airframe and internal software to the engines and lithium batteries—must be manufactured within India.

“Many countries manufacture drones, but they still rely on others for essential components. India must overcome this challenge,” he asserted, emphasizing the need for uncompromised quality control in domestic production.

Embracing AI and Robotics

Beyond aerial drones, the Defence Minister also outlined a broader vision for the modernization of the Indian Armed Forces. He heavily underscored the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation in modern military strategies.

According to Singh, these cutting-edge technologies, alongside advanced simulation technology, are not just changing the way weapons are built, but completely redefining how future wars will be fought and won.

The conclave served as a major platform for defense experts, military officials, and industry leaders to brainstorm a cohesive roadmap to fast-track India’s transition into a global hub for defense technology manufacturing.