Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (September 1, 2026): A practical reader guide

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (September 1, 2026): A practical reader guide

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (September 1, 2026) reviewed the annual performance of all 16 defence Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

Mr.

In a meeting, the Minister called upon the defence PSUs to reduce import dependence, strengthen research and development, ensure timely delivery of major projects, and transform themselves into globally competitive defence companies, the Union Ministry of Defence said in a statement. Singh, along with the Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, was briefed by Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, and the Chairmen and MDs of the defence PSUs on their performance, achievements, and roadmaps, the Ministry said.

Commending the defence PSUs for their contribution in strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and advancing the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, Mr. The success of research and development should not be judged merely by the amount of money spent but by tangible outcomes, including the development of new technologies, intellectual property, prototypes, and operational products, Mr. During the meeting, the heads of seven defence PSUs — Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited, BEML, and MIDHANI — presented dividend cheques totalling ₹3,951 crore to Mr. Singh towards the government’s equity shares for 2025-26. India achieved defence production worth approximately ₹1.8 lakh crore during 2025-26, with the 16 defence PSUs contributing ₹1.29 lakh crore, he said, describing the achievement as a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards an aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) defence industrial base.

Singh said their performance reflected the country’s growing capabilities in building a robust indigenous defence industrial base. “The progress of defence PSUs is not merely an economic or industrial necessity; it is a national security imperative,” the Minister said, noting that recent global conflicts had demonstrated the importance of assured supply chains, surge production capacity, availability of critical spares, rapid repair capabilities, and the ability to sustain manufacturing during prolonged conflicts. Singh said.