New Delhi, August 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, placed ‘Raksha Shakti’ among the seven key streams of national power needed to build a Viksit Bharat by 2047, calling for a major push towards defence self-reliance and next-generation military technology.
The Prime Minister said India must move beyond being a global defence market and become a global supplier of advanced defence technologies, stressing that there is “no alternative” to self-reliance in defence.
India Must Lead in Next-Generation Defence Technology
Highlighting the rapidly changing character of warfare, PM Modi called for greater focus on indigenous development of drones, counter-drone systems and hypersonic defence technologies.
He stressed that India’s security cannot depend indefinitely on foreign supplies, even when imported systems may be cheaper or faster to acquire.
The Prime Minister said initiatives such as Make in India, Swadeshi and Vocal for Local are helping build domestic capabilities and strengthening India’s ability to protect its own strategic interests.
Mission Sudarshan Chakra Gathering Pace
PM Modi also highlighted the progress of Mission Sudarshan Chakra, saying work on the initiative is advancing rapidly.
He noted that modern warfare is no longer necessarily restricted to conventional battlefields. Critical infrastructure such as refineries, banking systems, data centres and industrial facilities can also become targets during conflicts.
The evolving threat environment, he said, requires India to strengthen its ability to protect critical national infrastructure alongside traditional military capabilities.
Defence Production and Exports Surge
Highlighting the transformation of India’s defence sector over the past 12 years, the Prime Minister said defence production has increased nearly fourfold, while defence exports have risen almost 50 times.
Indian defence products are now reaching around 100 countries, according to the Prime Minister, reflecting the expansion of India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem.
He asserted that India must remain prepared to respond to threats both within and beyond its borders, while strengthening its position as a major defence technology and manufacturing power.
Cybersecurity Becomes a Key Defence Frontier
The Prime Minister also identified cybersecurity as an increasingly important component of national defence.
He called for India’s young talent to be harnessed in developing cybersecurity capabilities that can protect the country’s digital infrastructure while also creating technologies that can serve global markets.
Massive Civil Defence Volunteer Force Planned
PM Modi said national security must not be viewed solely as the responsibility of the Armed Forces and security agencies.
He announced plans to create a large voluntary civil defence force, equipped and trained to respond to modern security challenges.
According to the Prime Minister, existing civil defence systems were largely designed around the threats of earlier eras and need to be modernised in line with contemporary forms of warfare.
The proposed network would help create greater public preparedness and resilience during emergencies and future conflicts.
Nari Shakti in the Armed Forces
The Prime Minister also highlighted the expanding role of women in India’s defence forces, pointing to women graduates of the National Defence Academy as examples of India’s growing military leadership by women.
He said their increasing presence and leadership demonstrate the important contribution of Nari Shakti to national security and nation-building.
Defence as a Pillar of Viksit Bharat
The Prime Minister’s Independence Day message places defence preparedness alongside technological advancement, self-reliance and citizen participation as essential components of India’s long-term national development strategy.
The central message was clear: a developed India by 2047 must also be a secure, technologically capable and defence-self-reliant India, with the capacity not only to protect itself but also to supply advanced military technologies to the world.