Rajnath Singh to review annual defence R&D plans, investment set to double

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): India plans to double the pace of research and development (R&D) in the defence sector with an estimated expenditure of ₹32,766 crore over the next five years. Over the past decade, most R&D investments have been made by leading Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited, and Bharat Dynamics Limited. However, efforts are now underway to accelerate R&D across all DPSUs.

On Monday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will review the annual performance of all 16 DPSUs in New Delhi.

Earlier, Singh had declared 2025 as the “Year of Reforms,” emphasizing the importance of developing new technologies, boosting exports, and promoting indigenisation in defence PSUs. To achieve these goals, he had urged DPSUs to increase both investment and manpower in R&D.

According to the Defence Ministry’s press release on Saturday, “All DPSUs have prepared their R&D roadmap for the next five years. In the past decade, 16 DPSUs together have invested ₹30,952 crore in R&D.”

Similarly, in the coming five years, the seven new defence PSUs formed after the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board are expected to invest over ₹3,000 crore in R&D, while defence shipyards have planned investments exceeding ₹1,300 crore.

The ministry added, “During the event, a compilation of R&D projects from the past 10 years and the plan for the next five years will be released. Additionally, HAL’s new R&D manual will be launched, which will introduce flexibility, speed, risk assessment, and better allocation in research and development projects.”

Union Minister Rajnath Singh will also release a report titled “Swayam” on renewable energy. The report is the first consolidated effort by the Department of Defence Production to document energy efficiency practices across all 16 DPSUs.

In FY 2024–25, DPSUs recorded commendable performance. Exports grew by 51% compared to the previous year, with total turnover reaching ₹1.08 lakh crore — a 15.4% increase from 2023–24. The DPSUs also reported a cumulative post-tax profit of ₹20,021 crore, marking a 19.5% rise from the previous year.

During the event, DPSUs achieving excellence in various fields will be honoured, and significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be exchanged.