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News18
a day ago
- Business
- News18
'We'll Bury You In Orders': Defence Secretary Pushes For Private Sector R&D Surge
Last Updated: Speaking at CII Summit, Defence Secretary Rajesh Singh highlighted the full potential of defence sector would only be realised through stronger private sector participation. In a strong pitch for deeper industry involvement, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh urged India's private sector to ramp up investment in research and development (R&D), assuring them of robust order books in return. His comments came during the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) Annual Business Summit 2025, held just days after the successful Operation Sindoor, which showcased India's indigenous military strength on the global stage. Addressing industry leaders, Singh stated emphatically, 'We'll bury you, the private sector, in orders — but there is a need for greater investment in R&D from your side." The defence secretary highlighted that while public sector undertakings and government-backed initiatives had led to consistent growth in recent years, the full potential of India's defence sector would only be realised through stronger private sector participation. Operation Sindoor, conducted earlier this month, demonstrated the combat-readiness of Indian-made systems like the Pinaka rocket launchers and Akash missile defence systems, which outperformed Chinese counterparts in field simulations as India struck terror sites and airbases in Pakistan and intercepted drones and missiles launched from Pakistan. The success has elevated global interest in Indian defence exports, creating a ripe opportunity for private firms to scale up their capabilities. Despite India's defence expenditure decreasing to around 1.9 per cent of GDP, Singh stressed that the funds available are sufficient for modernisation goals if efficiently utilised. 'Last year, for the first time in many years, the capital budget was fully spent. Procurement decisions are happening faster now," he noted. Singh also addressed systemic hurdles, acknowledging that remnants of the 'licence raj" still obstruct industry entry. He emphasised ongoing government efforts to streamline licencing and procurement, reduce bureaucratic red tape, and facilitate a more dynamic defence ecosystem. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who also spoke at the summit, echoed the call for self-reliance. 'India cannot remain dependent on others for its security needs. Our goal is not just import substitution but also becoming a global hub for defence manufacturing," he said. He praised the success of Operation Sindoor as evidence of India's evolving military competence and technological edge. Rajnath Singh also reiterated the government's long-term goal of positioning India among the top defence exporters, stating, 'Our indigenous solutions are now proven on the battlefield. We are no longer just a buyer — we are a builder." The summit concluded with a unified call for synergy between policy, innovation, and industry — laying the groundwork for India's defence ambitions in the coming decades. First Published:
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India.com
2 days ago
- Business
- India.com
India Is Building Weapons Faster And Smarter – And The U.S. Should Be Worried
New Delhi: Operation Sindoor may have been a victory for India, but it might signal something bigger. And that is unraveling of America's defence monopoly. A revolution is underway, and it is not happening in Washington. It is happening in New Delhi. The world noticed when Indian Air Force jets thundered across the border during Operation Sindoor and struck terror camps with surgical precision. In addition to the military success, what foreign observers picked up and what the Pentagon should be losing sleep over is how efficiently India pulled it off. While American weapons manufacturers are stuck in spiraling budgets, bloated procurement cycles and Cold War-era thinking, India is moving fast, building smart and spending less. And as Small Wars Journal notes in a recent essay by John Spencer and Vincent Viola that contrast is growing too big to ignore. Consider this. India's Pinaka rocket launcher costs around $56,000. Its American equivalent, the GMLRS missile, comes in at a hefty $148,000. India developed Akashteer air defence system at a fraction of the cost of a U.S. Patriot battery or NASAMS unit. And even Iran's infamous Shahed-136 drone, which is priced at just $20,000, is proving more agile in combat zones than the $30 million MQ-9 Reaper built in the United States. This is not only about economics but also about agility. In conflict after conflict, whether it is the mountains of Ladakh or the skies over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, India is proving that good enough and fast beats perfect and late. On the other hand, the U.S. military-industrial complex, dominated by Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and a few others, is beginning to look less like an innovation hub and more like a cartel. As reported by Eurasian Times , nine of the world's top 20 arms companies are American. But this consolidation is proving to be a liability. The Small Wars Journal authors are blunt. 'This is not competition, it is cartelised domination,' they say. With 41 of the top 100 defence firms headquartered in the United States, one might expect agility. Instead, the opposite is true – bureaucracy, complacency and decade-long project timelines. Just look at the F-35 stealth fighter. With a staggering $1.7 trillion lifetime cost, it has become the poster child of America's cost-plus culture – over-promised, under-delivered and nearly impossible to fix. Designed in an era of battleships and nuclear deterrence, the U.S. acquisition system simply cannot keep up with the speed of modern warfare. From counter-IED kits in Iraq to urgent drone requests in Afghanistan, most battlefield innovations have had to go around the system, not through it. The war in Ukraine highlighted this. While Javelins and HIMARS made headlines, U.S. production lines struggled to meet demand. Artillery shells ran dry. Supply chains creaked. And in the background, Russia and China watched and learned. The real disruption? Countries like India are not just buying anymore. They are manufacturing. From the indigenous Sudarshan Chakra (S-400 system) to whispers about India eyeing Russia's S-500 Prometheus, which is capable of intercepting hypersonic missiles and low-orbit satellites, India is preparing for the next generation of conflict. And it is not waiting for the Pentagon to catch up. It is a wake-up call for the United States. Even President Donald Trump once said that U.S. defence companies had 'merged in', killing off negotiation and competition. The previous Biden administration too shared the same view. A recent White House executive order called out the broken procurement system, demanding a full reform plan within 60 days. But will it be enough? The United States needs fewer gold-plated platforms and more rugged and scalable systems. It needs smaller, faster and more modular production networks. It needs to treat allies like Israel as real partners, not passive clients. And, as Spencer and Viola argue, it needs 'permanent and deployable learning teams' in real war zones to feed real-time combat data back into weapons design and battlefield innovation. Think agile warfare at scale. For now, the U.S. still has the tech edge. But as China surges and India masters fast cost-effective lethality, the world's defence balance is beginning to tilt.
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
From ₹3740 to ₹16200: This mid-cap defence stock fires up 333% in just 2 years. Do you hold it?
Multibagger mid-cap defence stock in focus: Defence stocks are buzzing on the Indian stock market, witnessing a continued surge in demand from Dalal Street investors, helping the sector regain much of its lost momentum. These stocks have caught investors' attention this month amid rising geopolitical tensions, following a period of subdued performance due to valuation concerns. Nevertheless, some defence stocks—regardless of market volatility—have managed to stay on investors' radar, recording a spectacular surge in value, and one such stock in this regard is Solar Industries. The company, which manufactures and supplies industrial explosives and explosive accessories, has seen its share price soar massively in the last two years, rising from ₹ 3,740 to ₹ 16,200, resulting in a phenomenal gain of 333%. Impressively, the stock closed 17 out of the last 24 months in the green, with March being the biggest monthly gain of 29%, followed by the current month with a rally of 23% so far. In today's session, the stock touched another record high of ₹ 16,205 apiece. The sharp rally in this mid-cap defence stock has boosted its market capitalization by ₹ 1,12,639 crore, taking it to ₹ 1,46,448 crore. While many retail investors believe that low-priced stocks offer the quickest path to wealth creation, the steady ascent of Solar Industries underscores that strong fundamentals and a solid position in the industry can drive significant stock price growth—regardless of the stock's trading value. Solar Industries reported its highest-ever quarterly and annual performance in FY25, with revenue reaching ₹ 2,167 crore for the quarter and ₹ 7,540 crore for the year. The company also delivered record quarterly EBITDA and PAT of ₹ 546 crore and ₹ 371 crore, marking a year-on-year growth of 47% and 42%, respectively. On an annual basis, EBITDA stood at ₹ 2,031 crore and PAT at ₹ 1,288 crore, reflecting growth of 44% and 47%. The company achieved an EBITDA margin of approximately 27%, exceeding its annual guidance. It has reinforced its position as a major defence player globally, with its order book crossing ₹ 15,000 crore, including a ₹ 6,084 crore order for Pinaka rockets and ₹ 8,500 crore in international contracts, as per the company's Q4 earnings' filing. Looking ahead to FY26, the company is targeting 15–20% growth in its explosives segment and aims to surpass ₹ 3,000 crore in defence revenue, contributing to a projected total revenue of ₹ 10,000 crore, with defence expected to account for over 30%, up from 18%. As part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, Solar signed a ₹ 12,700 crore MoU with the Maharashtra government to invest in defence and aerospace over the next decade. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
India.com
2 days ago
- Business
- India.com
India dropped bombs and missiles on Pakistan but US companies worth billions of dollars are in trouble due to…
Home News India dropped bombs and missiles on Pakistan but US companies worth billions of dollars are in trouble due to… India dropped bombs and missiles on Pakistan but US companies worth billions of dollars are in trouble due to… The Pinaka rockets of India come at cost of $56,000 which is very less compared to the U.S. GMLRS missile at $148,000. US President Donald Trump While India conducted Operation Sindoor on Pakistan, the world saw what the Indian Armed Forces where capable of. While Pakistan tried to attack India with its long-range missiles, India's indigenous Akash Defence Missile saved India on multiple occasions. However, this article is not only about the indigenous 'Made in India' weapons that saved India but also a direct analysis about their costs compared to their US rivals. Media reports have quoted experts like John Spencer and Vincent Viola writing in Small Wars Journal saying that India's 2014 Make in India initiative has now borne fruit, and due to its massive success, India is today able to manufacture the weapons at a much lesser cost. India's weapons vs US weapons For an example, the Pinaka rockets of India come at cost of $56,000 which is very less compared to the U.S. GMLRS missile at $148,000. Likewise, India's Akashteer missile defense system is also far cheaper than America's NASAMS, significantly improving its indigenous defense production. As a result of the Indian defence success, American defence industry like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technology and General Dynamics are facing massive trouble. BSF shares details on Operation Sindoor The Border Security Force recently said that it targeted 76 Pakistani border outposts and 42 forward defence locations (FDLs) and destroyed three terrorist launch pads in strong retaliation to unprovoked firing and shelling by Pakistani Rangers along the International Border (IB) in the Jammu frontier during Operation Sindoor, as per a report by PTI news agency. The BSF action came after Pakistan launched heavy firing and shelling on 60 Indian posts and 49 forward positions, reportedly providing cover for an attempted infiltration by 40–50 terrorists, officials said. 'Pakistan fired on our 60 border outposts and 49 forward defence locations. In response, we opened fire on 76 of their posts and 42 FDLs,' BSF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Chiterpaul Singh told reporters here. Singh said a key terror launch pad run by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) near the Sunderbani sector was destroyed. 'There is no movement seen from that area now,' he said. (With inputs from agencies) For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest News News on More Stories
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Lockheed to Boeing: How India's Operation Sindoor may loosen the grip of US defence giants
India's recent military advances and cost-effective innovations expose critical weaknesses in the US defence system. As Washington clings to outdated Cold War models and monopolistic defence contractors, it risks falling behind rivals like India and China. Experts call for urgent reforms to speed up acquisition, break up monopolies, and build scalable, adaptable systems. Without change, the US could lose its military edge in future conflicts. The time for reform is now—and the clock is ticking. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What ails US defence industry Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads US acquisition system: Too slow for modern war The cost trap undermining US power Learning from India and others A closed circle resisting change Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What the US must do to stay relevant Facing the challenge from China India's growing military success, especially evident in recent operations like Operation Sindoor , should serve as a sharp warning to the United States. While India innovates quickly and builds cost-effective, scalable warfighting models, the US remains trapped in slow, outdated Cold War contrast is stark. India's Pinaka rocket costs less than $56,000, compared to a US GMLRS missile priced at $148,000. India rapidly developed the Akashteer missile defence system at a fraction of the cost of US-made Patriot or NASAMS platforms. Even Ukraine's use of Iran's $20,000 Shahed-136 drone outpaces the US MQ-9 Reaper, which costs over $30 examples highlight a fundamental problem in the American defence ecosystem. As John Spencer and Vincent Viola argue in the Small Wars Journal , 'The United States is in urgent need of fundamental defense reform. Not just adjustments. Not just marginal gains. A full-scale overhaul.'The US defence industry is dominated by a handful of giant contractors. Lockheed Martin, Boeing , Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, and General Dynamics rank among the top global arms producers. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), nine of the world's top 20 defence firms by revenue are American, and 41 of the top 100 are US-based, as reported by Eurasian once was a sign of strength now feels more like a cartel. Spencer and Viola warn: 'America's defense manufacturing process is dominated by a small cartel of primes that, while capable, have little incentive to drive innovation, reduce cost, or adapt quickly. There is no real market competition. This is not competition—it's cartelized domination.'Despite soaring defence budgets—expected to near $1 trillion by 2025—the number of prime contractors has shrunk drastically. A Department of Defense study noted that prime defence contractors fell from 51 to fewer than 10. Former President Donald Trump pointed to the problem bluntly: 'Defense companies have all merged in, so it's hard to negotiate… It's already not competitive.'The US acquisition process is notoriously slow. It often takes years, sometimes decades, to field new equipment. The war in Ukraine exposed this painfully. While American weapons like Javelins and HIMARS made a difference, production struggled to keep up with demand. Artillery shell shortages forced the Pentagon to rely on ageing factories and slow supply battlefield innovations since 9/11—such as counter-IED kits and drones—were introduced through emergency channels, bypassing formal procurement. But these stopgap measures do not fix systemic contracting shields defence firms from the consequences of budget overruns. This system discourages innovation and encourages over-engineered, expensive F-35 fighter jet illustrates this problem. With a lifetime cost estimated at $1.7 trillion, it has been criticised for delays and underperformance. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall admitted, 'We're not going to repeat what I think frankly was a serious mistake that was made in the F-35 program.' In May 2023, Kendall warned that without reform, 'What that basically does is create a perpetual monopoly.'While the US struggles to keep up, countries like India show how to innovate efficiently. India's defence industry emphasises cost-effective, rapid development. The Akashteer system and Pinaka rockets are examples of scalable, rugged platforms built with speed and affordability in and Viola highlight the absence of 'an agile, scalable, layered, fast-response production network' in the US. 'There is no real surge capacity,' they write. This gap leaves America vulnerable in fast-paced modern firms increasingly operate in isolation from broader markets. A 2024 study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) found that 61% of major defence contracts go to companies with no commercial business. This figure rises to 86% when firms like Boeing, whose commercial work is limited, are shift began after Cold War budget cuts in the 1990s, driving consolidation and pushing commercial players out. The result is a defence industry insulated from market pressures and reluctant to and Viola warn bluntly: 'The time for US defense reform is not coming. It's already late.'To avoid falling behind, the US must rebuild its defence acquisition process around speed, iteration, and frontline feedback—not decade-long static programmes. It needs to break up industrial monopolies or foster genuine competition and alternative important is treating allies like India and Israel as co-equal production partners, not merely buyers or technology recipients. White House executive order last month recognised this. 'Unfortunately, after years of misplaced priorities and poor management, our defense acquisition system does not provide the speed and flexibility our Armed Forces need to have decisive advantages in the future,' it said. The order directed the Secretary of Defense to deliver a reform plan within 60 reform cannot stop at factories and procurement cycles. The US should establish permanent, deployable learning teams embedded in conflict zones and logistics hubs. These teams would gather battlefield lessons directly and feed them back into system design—making the US defence ecosystem 'the most efficient, adaptable, and dominant in the world.'China poses the biggest challenge. It has the largest active military force globally, with approximately two million soldiers and a population more than four times that of the future wars will not be about who has the biggest army. It will depend on who can innovate faster, produce economically, and fight at speed.'Wars will be won by those who can think faster, build faster, and fight smarter—and above all, by those who master the physics of lethality required on the modern battlefield,' Spencer and Viola the US to lead again, it must not only revive its defence industrial power but also master lethality at scale, speed, and sustainability. The clock is ticking.
