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Rajnath Singh urges sustained defence R&D investment and surprise edge at North Tech Symposium 2026
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for sustained investment in defence research and an 'element of surprise' to address rapid tech-driven changes in warfare during the North Tech Symposium 2026. He cited Operation Sindoor as an example and highlighted collaboration between DRDO and industry, plus policy shifts to accelerate tech transfer.
Why It Matters
The remarks emphasize building resilience through sustained R&D funding and industrial collaboration to maintain strategic advantage as warfare becomes increasingly driven by technology and unmanned systems.
Timeline
4 Events
Defence minister's remarks at North Tech Symposium 2026
May 4, 2026
Rajnath Singh stressed the need for sustained investment in defence research and the 'element of surprise' in an era of rapid technological transformation; he highlighted DRDO's collaboration with industry, 25% defence R&D budget to industry, academia and startups, over ₹4,500 crore utilised, a new Transfer of Technology policy waiving the 20% fee for development and production partners, and the transfer of over 2,200 technologies to industry; he noted indigenous systems (Akashteer, the Akash missile system, and BrahMos) and the risk of everything becoming weaponised, citing Israel's pager attacks and the Russia-Ukraine conflict to illustrate changing warfare.
Upcoming first anniversary of Operation Sindoor
May 4, 2026
The article notes the upcoming first anniversary of Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2026.
Launch of Operation Sindoor
May 7, 2025
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025 in response to the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack; the operation targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
April 2025: Pahalgam terror attack
April 2025
The Pahalgam terror attack occurred in April 2025, prompting India to launch Operation Sindoor in May 2025.