Rajnath Singh Unveils Maharana Pratap Statue, Projects ₹50,000 Crore Defence Exports by 2029-30
CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJI NAGAR, April 18 — Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday unveiled a statue of the legendary warrior Maharana Pratap in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and paid floral tributes in his honour.
Speaking at the event, Singh highlighted the government’s efforts toward achieving self-reliance in the defence sector. He revealed that India’s defence exports have surged to ₹24,000 crore and expressed confidence that they will rise to ₹50,000 crore by 2029-30.
“We are fully committed to making India self-reliant in defence production. When we came to power in 2014, defence exports stood at around ₹600 crore. Today, they have reached approximately ₹24,000 crore. Our aim is to take this figure to ₹50,000 crore by 2029-30,” he stated.
Singh emphasized that this is not merely an aspirational goal but a target the government is determined to achieve, citing the significant reforms and initiatives introduced in the defence manufacturing sector.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also spoke at the event, paying tribute to Maharana Pratap and underscoring the economic potential of the region. “Pune has long been the industrial magnet of Maharashtra, but that magnetism is shifting. Sambhaji Nagar and Jalna are emerging as new industrial hubs, attracting major investments,” Fadnavis said.
Maharana Pratap, a revered 16th-century ruler of Mewar, is celebrated for his valor and resistance against Mughal domination.
A day earlier, while speaking at an event at the Manekshaw Centre, Singh reflected on global challenges in defence trade. He pointed to the risks posed by trade restrictions, tariff wars, and overdependence on foreign supply chains, noting that such vulnerabilities have highlighted the need for India’s strategic self-reliance.
Addressing senior defence officials and private sector representatives, Singh noted that defence firms worldwide had long relied on complex, global supply chains spread across multiple nations—a model now under scrutiny in the current geopolitical climate.
Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to equipping India’s armed forces for the future, with a focus on building robust domestic manufacturing capabilities.
