New Delhi, Sep 1 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reviewed the annual performance of 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and called upon them to focus on timely delivery, reducing import dependence, boosting exports and ensuring global-standard quality.
During the review meeting, Singh, along with Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, was briefed by Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar and the chairmen and managing directors of the DPSUs on their performance, key achievements and future roadmap.
The review covered progress in indigenous production and manufacturing capabilities, development of advanced defence technologies, defence exports, strengthening of supply chains and execution of major projects.
Singh commended the DPSUs for their contribution to strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and advancing the vision of an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
He noted that India achieved defence production worth around Rs 1.8 lakh crore in 2025-26, with DPSUs contributing Rs 1.29 lakh crore.
The defence minister said the achievement reflected the country’s progress towards building a self-reliant defence industrial base.
Singh urged the DPSUs to reduce import dependence, transform research and development into technology leadership, increase defence exports, enhance productivity through capital expenditure, provide greater support to startups and MSMEs, and raise product quality to global standards.
“The progress of DPSUs is not merely an economic or industrial necessity; it is a national security imperative,” Singh said.
Recent global conflicts have demonstrated the importance of assured supply chains, surge capacity, availability of critical spares, rapid repair capabilities and the ability to sustain production during prolonged conflicts, he said.
Welcoming increased investment by DPSUs in research and development, Singh said its success should not be measured merely by the amount spent but by the development of new technologies, intellectual property, prototypes and operational products.
“We must identify niche technology areas where India can become not just self-reliant, but a global leader,” he said.
Singh also called for continued efforts to bring DPSU products on a par with global standards.
“In pursuit of the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ objective, we must resolve to transform all DPSUs into global giants,” he said.
During the meeting, CMDs of seven DPSUs — Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), BEML and MIDHANI — presented dividend cheques totalling Rs 3,951 crore for the government’s equity shares for 2025-26.
On the occasion, Singh also released four publications highlighting efforts towards self-reliance, indigenisation, innovation and development of future-ready defence capabilities.
The publications include ‘Aatmanirbhar DPSU – A Journey of DPSUs Towards Self-Reliance’, which outlines indigenisation targets, new products and processes planned over the next five years.
The other publications are ‘DISHA’, focusing on industry interaction with students and hands-on awareness of defence technologies and modern manufacturing processes; the ‘Modernisation Roadmap of HAL’ aimed at transforming the aerospace company into a future-ready enterprise; and the ‘Indigenisation Roadmap of HAL’ for greater self-reliance in the aerospace and defence sector.—(NVI)
