Operation Sindoor: Courage Meets Innovation
Highlighting the success of Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh revealed that three products co-developed by Raphe mPhibr and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) within just 14 months were deployed successfully during the operation. He stressed that this demonstrated India’s technological maturity, proving the nation is no longer behind global powers in defence capabilities.
The Minister added that within only 22 minutes, India’s Armed Forces neutralised terrorist threats during the operation, sending a clear message to their handlers. “When resolve, courage and science come together, the impossible becomes possible,” he said.
India’s Drone Push
Rajnath Singh underlined that the future of defence lies in advanced aircraft technology and drones. India, he said, is now designing, developing and manufacturing drones indigenously at a rapid pace. Citing the Russia–Ukraine conflict as an example, he noted that drones are transforming warfare by reaching places inaccessible to conventional equipment.
He called for integrating drones effectively into war tactics, adding that their versatility makes them a decisive tool in modern combat.
The Defence Minister praised the government’s iDEX initiative as a game-changer for nurturing innovation in the defence sector. He said iDEX and other schemes are empowering startups and young innovators to contribute solutions that will strengthen India’s defence ecosystem.
Rajnath Singh also highlighted initiatives like the Technology Development Fund, the National Research Foundation, and increased support to DRDO as essential enablers. Schemes like iDEX and ADITI, he said, will ensure that startups launched today achieve global breakthroughs in the next 15–20 years.
Noida as a Defence Innovation Hub
During his speech, the Defence Minister pointed out that Noida is emerging as a hub of defence technology and manufacturing. He said the city is witnessing remarkable growth through startups, manufacturing firms, and research-based innovation, making it one of India’s leading defence centres.
Inside the New Test Facility
Rajnath Singh toured Raphe mPhibr’s new facility, which boasts an engine test bed, a metal additive manufacturing unit, furnaces capable of reaching 2,800°C, an advanced composite polymer manufacturing centre, and a range of indigenously built drones. These included payload-drop drones, swarm drones, and precision-guided missile drones—all critical to strengthening India’s defence preparedness.
The advanced infrastructure, he noted, will enhance the reliability and readiness of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and ensure that cutting-edge systems are available to the Armed Forces at the right time.
Leaders in Attendance
The inauguration was attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar. Their presence underlined the importance of the event in advancing India’s journey towards self-reliance in defence.
Concluding his address, Rajnath Singh reiterated that India’s resolve, innovation, and youth-driven dynamism will ensure the nation emerges as a global leader in defence technology.