Rajnath Singh Reviews Defence PSUs' Performance

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will review the annual performance of 16 defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) on Tuesday. The review comes after DPSUs reported strong growth in turnover, profits and overseas sales during FY26, according to the Defence Ministry.

The meeting will focus on indigenous technology development and higher exports, which are expected to remain key areas of focus. Seven major defence companies, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), will present dividend cheques for the government's equity holdings for FY26.

The Defence Minister will also release four publications covering the journey of DPSUs towards self-reliance, defence technology awareness for students, and HAL's modernisation and indigenisation roadmaps. India's defence PSUs recorded a combined turnover of ₹1.29 lakh crore in FY26, marking a 15.4 per cent increase over the previous financial year.

Their cumulative profit after tax climbed 15.6 per cent to ₹23,136 crore. Exports delivered an even stronger performance, surging 151.2 per cent compared with FY25, highlighting India's growing presence in overseas defence markets.

The Department of Defence Production has introduced reforms aimed at simplifying the Defence Export Standard Operating Procedure and Open General Export Licence framework. The changes seek to reduce procedural hurdles and help Indian defence manufacturers access international markets faster while maintaining national security safeguards.

These measures form part of the government's broader Make-in-India push to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing and establish India as a competitive global defence exporter. The review meeting is expected to assess the progress made by DPSUs and identify key operational priorities for the future.

The growth in turnover and profits is a significant achievement for the defence sector, and the government is likely to build on this momentum to achieve its goals. The focus on indigenous technology development and higher exports is also expected to contribute to the growth of the sector.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for the Defence Minister to interact with the heads of the DPSUs and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. It will also help to identify areas where the government can provide support to the DPSUs to achieve their goals.

Overall, the review meeting is an important step in the government's efforts to strengthen the defence sector and achieve its goals of self-reliance and export growth. The outcomes of the meeting are likely to have a significant impact on the future of the defence sector in India.

The growth of the defence sector is also expected to have a positive impact on the economy, as it will contribute to the growth of the manufacturing sector and create new job opportunities. The government's focus on indigenous technology development and higher exports is also expected to help establish India as a major player in the global defence market.

In conclusion, the review meeting of the defence PSUs is an important event that will help to assess the progress made by the sector and identify key operational priorities for the future. The growth of the defence sector is expected to have a significant impact on the economy and help achieve the government's goals of self-reliance and export growth.