India needs to be ready for 'war-like' situation: Rajnath

NEW DELHI: India needs to be "ready for a war-like situation", with military preparedness being based on indigenous foundations, defence minister Rajnath Singh said Monday, asking the industry to further accelerate self-reliance in defence production .

India gave "a firm response with a firm resolve" to Pakistan during the cross-border hostilities from May 7 to 10 and the armed forces are fully prepared to defend the country's borders, Singh said.

"(But) we must continue to introspect. Operation Sindoor should serve as a case study from which we can learn and chart our future course. This incident has once again shown us that anything can happen at our borders, anywhere, at any time," he said, addressing the annual session of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).

The effective use of Made-in-India equipment like Akash and BrahMos missiles as well as AkashTeer air defence control system during Operation Sindoor bolstered India's reputation both regionally and internationally.

The domestic industry, especially private sector, should step-up the focus on innovation and R&D, technology-based manufacturing, production of individual subsystems & components, and dominating the supply and maintenance chains, he added.

Present-day global uncertainties call for an in-depth assessment of every domain, with 'indigenisation' being the only way to deal with the challenges emanating from the constantly evolving nature of warfare. "The established world order is weakening, and conflict zones are increasing in many regions. It has, therefore, become necessary for India to redefine its security and strategy," Singh said.