Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Highlights Role of Quality in Operation Sindoor Success at National Quality Conclave 2025.
New Delhi:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today lauded the Indian Armed Forces for their precision and professionalism in executing Operation Sindoor, attributing the mission’s success to the superior quality of military equipment and training. Addressing the National Quality Conclave 2025 in New Delhi, the Defence Mantri emphasized the transformative power of quality in safeguarding national interests and shaping India’s future as a global defence leader.
“Operation Sindoor was successfully executed because our formidable and professionally-trained Armed Forces were equipped with high-quality equipment,” he said. The operation, which led to the destruction of nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with minimal collateral damage, stands as a testament to India’s growing defence capability, he added.
Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s commitment to peace and restraint, but warned that if such values are misinterpreted as weakness, adversaries will face “quality action.” He stated emphatically, “No limit will become an obstacle in protecting India’s sovereignty. We are fully prepared for responsible responses in the future.”
‘Defence Sovereignty’ & Self-Reliance
He underscored the government’s long-term vision for Defence Sovereignty, asserting that true independence can only be achieved when a nation becomes self-reliant in its defence needs. Since 2014, the government has undertaken major reforms—including the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board—to enhance quality and competitiveness in defence manufacturing.
“Our defence industrial ecosystem is expanding rapidly, and it is providing unprecedented strength to India,” he said. Equal importance is being given to both quality and quantity, with the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) now becoming globally competitive and export-oriented.
Building ‘Brand India’ in Defence Exports
Calling for a global reputation of trust and excellence, Rajnath Singh urged stakeholders to create a state-of-the-art “Brand India” in defence. “We must ensure that when the world has a doubt, it turns to India. That should be our USP,” he stated.
He cited the record-breaking defence exports of approximately Rs 24,000 crore in FY 2024–25, with an ambitious goal to reach Rs 50,000 crore by 2029 and transform India into the world’s largest defence exporter by 2047. “Global trust in our equipment is essential for making India a developed nation,” he emphasized.
Technology-Driven Quality Reforms
The Defence Minister advocated for leveraging AI, IoT, and machine learning to improve real-time quality monitoring and to modernise testing standards in line with global advancements. He called for predictive and data-driven quality assurance systems to reduce delays and enhance efficiency across the production lifecycle.
Organised by the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) under the Department of Defence Production, the conclave served as a key forum for government, industry, and academic stakeholders to collaborate on redefining defence QA.
Key Announcements at Conclave:
- QA 4.0 Roadmap Launched: Featuring AI-powered analytics, smart sensors, and digital dashboards for real-time oversight.
- Draft Indian Military Airworthiness Bill Presented: A statutory framework for certifying military aircraft and systems.
- Indigenous Explosives Development Discussed: Experts emphasized emerging tech like additive manufacturing and advanced materials for self-reliance in critical munitions.
Senior officials present included Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, DG DGQA N Manoharan, Rear Admiral Rupak Barua, and CMDs of DPSUs, among others.
The National Quality Conclave 2025 concluded with a unified call to action: redefine quality assurance as a strategic asset—one that underpins not just defence compliance, but national resilience, innovation, and India’s global stature in defence exports.
