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Rajnath Singh

Rajnath Singh

Minister of Defence of India

Appears in 3 stories

Born: July 10, 1951 (age 74 years), Bhabhaura, India
Previous offices: Minister of Home Affairs of India (2014–2019), Member of the Lok Sabha (2009–2014), Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India (2003–2004), and more
Education: Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University
Party: Bharatiya Janata Party
Children: Pankaj Singh, Neeraj Singh, and Anamika Singh
Books: Indian Politics & Our Thought
Spouse: Savitri Singh (m. 1971)

Notable Quotes

We consider France one of our most reliable defense allies. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, summarizing the relationship Singh has helped build

This reflects trust in action and it brings us together in an increasingly complex global environment.

India will achieve 70% self-reliance in arms by 2027 through Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

Stories

India and France expand defense manufacturing ties

Money Moves

Co-chaired 6th India-France Defence Dialogue

India has depended on Russia for weapons since the Cold War. That dependence peaked at 76% of arms imports in 2009-2013 but has now fallen to 36%—while France has surged to become India's second-largest supplier, accounting for 33% of defense purchases. On February 17, 2026, the two countries signed an agreement to jointly manufacture HAMMER precision-guided missiles in India.

Updated May 29

EU and India forge defence partnership

Rule Changes

Met with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas to discuss defence industry cooperation

India and the European Union became strategic partners in 2004. At the 16th EU-India Summit on January 27, 2026, they signed a Security and Defence Partnership, making India the third Asian country (after Japan and South Korea) to gain formal access to European defence initiatives. They also concluded a historic free trade agreement (covering 2 billion people and a $27 trillion combined market) that enters force in 2027, giving Indian firms access to the EU's €150 billion SAFE rearmament programme.

Updated May 23

India locks in $8.7 billion Israeli arms deal

New Capabilities

Chaired Defence Acquisition Council approving the $8.7B deal

India's Defence Acquisition Council approved an $8.7 billion arms package from Israel in January 2026, headlined by 1,000 SPICE-1000 precision bomb kits (125-kilometer range, GPS-jammed capable), air-to-air missiles, loitering munitions, radars, and networked command systems. India is also acquiring Air LORA missiles (400 kilometers), Ice Breaker missiles (300 kilometers), and Rampage missiles with full technology transfer for domestic production. The purchase makes India Israel's largest defense customer, now accounting for 34% of Israeli arms exports from 2020-2024.

Updated May 19