Rajnath Singh on DPSUs: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) are the strong pillars that make India self-reliant in defence. He said, “Their excellent performance in operations like Operation Sindoor testifies to the reliability and capability of our indigenous platforms.” Singh spoke during a big review meeting of all DPSUs held at the new DPSU Bhawan on Monday.
During the event, four DPSUs Munitions India Limited (MIL), Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), India Optel Limited (IOL), and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) received the Miniratna (Category-I) status.
DPSUs in Defence Strength
Rajnath Singh thanked all the DPSUs for helping India build a strong defence manufacturing system. He said their work supports the dream of a self-reliant India. Singh reminded everyone that in 2021, the government changed the old Ordnance Factory Board into seven new DPSUs.
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He explained that the Miniratna status will help these companies expand their capacity, modernise their systems, and start new partnerships. They can now work with both public and private companies, even form joint ventures or mergers. Singh said these steps will make India’s defence system more powerful and modern.
India’s Defence Production
The Defence Minister said that in 2024-25, India made defence products worth Rs 1.51 lakh crore. Out of this, the DPSUs made 71.6% of the total. He also said that India’s defence exports touched Rs 6,695 crore. Singh said this shows that other countries now trust and respect Indian defence products. “This clearly indicates that ‘Made in India’ defence products are gaining global respect,” he said.
He asked all DPSUs to keep up the good work and move even faster. He told them to focus on indigenisation of important technologies, better research and development, higher product quality, and faster delivery of projects. Singh said DPSUs should also plan carefully to increase exports.
He told them to make clear roadmaps for indigenisation and R&D with proper milestones that can be checked in the next meeting. He promised full government support by saying, “On behalf of the government, I assure you that wherever special intervention or assistance is required, it will be provided promptly.”
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New MoUs Signed
Later in the event, three important Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed among DPSUs. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) signed MoUs with Yantra India Limited (YIL) to help YIL in modernisation and to set up a 10,000-ton Forging Press facility.
This project is important because it will reduce imports of aluminium alloys that are used in defence and aerospace. HAL agreed to give an interest-free advance of Rs 435 crore to YIL, while BDL promised to provide a steady workload of 3,000 metric tonnes over the next ten years.
The third MoU was signed for creating a Metal Bank at MIDHANI. This Metal Bank will make sure that important defence projects in India always have enough raw materials on time.
