Rajnath Singh retains Defence Minister portfolio with major reforms on the horizon, here are some key issues that are expected to be addressed

Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh will retain his position as Defence Minister, with significant reforms planned for the coming months. Key areas of focus will include promoting exports and domestic defense manufacturing. During his tenure, there has been a notable push for self-reliance in defense production. Under Singh’s leadership, the government has restricted imports of various defense items, emphasizing the manufacturing of critical weapons domestically.

As the defence minister since 2019, Singh initiated several path-breaking measures to strengthen India's combat readiness along the border with China, as well as boost the country's defence manufacturing.

Under his leadership, the defence ministry pursued an aggressive policy to enhance infrastructure along the frontier region that significantly helped faster military mobilisation in sensitive sectors.


His tenure as the defence minister also saw India ramping up its maritime prowess in the strategic waterways in the Indian Ocean region.

Agnipath Recruitment Scheme Under Scrutiny

The Agnipath scheme, launched in June 2022, recruits young personnel into the armed forces for short-term service. Both male and female candidates aged 17.5 to 21 are enlisted for four years, with a provision to retain 25% for an additional 15 years. Recruits, known as Agniveers, receive a severance package instead of a pension upon completing their service. The scheme has faced criticism and protests over concerns about job security and long-term career prospects.

Senior leaders from BJP’s alliance partners, including the Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), have called for a review of the scheme. JD(U) leader K C Tyagi stated, “A section of voters has been upset over the Agnipath scheme. Our party wants those shortcomings, which have been questioned by the public, to be discussed in detail and removed.” Chirag Paswan from LJP echoed the need for a review.

Advancing Theatre Command Reforms

Another significant reform on the agenda is the unification of theatre commands, aiming to integrate the army, navy, and air force into unified theatre commands for enhanced joint operations and efficiency. The Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, effective from May 10, 2024, supports this reform by enabling commanders to control service personnel across different branches. Former Defence Minister Rajnath Singh noted that while the theaterisation process is advancing, full implementation will take years.

Focus on Indigenous Military Production

Reducing dependency on imported weapons remains a crucial goal. Despite India’s increasing military exports, it is still the world’s largest arms importer. The Modi government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative has driven significant progress in domestic manufacturing, with projects like the Tejas fighter jet and Scorpene submarines. The government plans to continue government-to-government deals and competitive tenders to boost domestic production, with the procurement of additional Scorpene submarines expected to be finalized by the end of 2024.

Managing China Relations

Tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) have been high since April 2020. Despite numerous military talks, the situation has not returned to pre-2020 status, and new agreements are necessary for peace and stability along the LAC. Enhancing border infrastructure and bolstering military preparedness are set to be focus areas under Singh's leadership.

Immediate Leadership Decisions

A critical immediate task for the new Defence Minister is appointing a new Army Chief, as the current chief will retire by the end of June. This decision will influence the direction of military reforms and leadership in the coming years.

Boosting Domestic Defence Production

Singh’s tenure saw India ramping up maritime prowess in the Indian Ocean region and strengthening combat readiness along the border with China. The focus is expected to continue on boosting domestic defense manufacturing, further enhancing military preparedness, and improving infrastructure along the borders. India’s defense exports crossed the Rs 21,000 crore mark for the first time in 2023-24, with a target of Rs 50,000 crore in the next five to six years.

The government aims to reduce dependence on imported military platforms, supporting domestic defense manufacturing. The defence ministry has set a goal of achieving a turnover of USD 25 billion (Rs 1.75 lakh crore) in defense manufacturing in the next five years.

(With inputs from PTI)