Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh underscored India’s growing technological strength in defense, using the success of Operation Sindoor as a testament to the evolving nature of warfare. Speaking at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) event, Amar Preet Singh stressed the importance of complete self-reliance in defense manufacturing and the vital role of trust and collaboration between the armed forces and the private sector to ensure that more indigenous equipment is designed, developed, and produced in India.
Amar Preet Singh quoted a famous Bollywood dialogue by Salman Khan, “Ek baar jo humne commit kiya hai, fir mai apne aap ki bhi nahi sunta,” to highlight the firm commitment India has made to become Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) in defense production. He emphasized that talk alone is insufficient, urging the industry to not only manufacture but also design and develop defense technology domestically. According to him, once the design and development processes are firmly established, large-scale production capabilities will naturally follow.
Building Trust and Communication Between Forces and Industry
A critical factor, Amar Preet Singh pointed out, is fostering ongoing trust and transparent communication between the military and the defense manufacturing industry. He stressed that openness and honest dialogue are essential to avoid breakdowns in this vital relationship. Using another impactful phrase, Amar Preet Singh stated, “Pran jaaye par vachan na jaaye,” meaning commitments should never be broken, even at great personal cost.
He also backed the remarks of the Chief of Naval Staff regarding Operation Sindoor, asserting that the operation clearly demonstrated the changing dynamics of modern warfare. Amar Preet Singh noted that the military must realign its strategic thinking to keep pace with this shift, and significant work is already underway to address this.
Encouraging Industry to Rise for Defense Manufacturing
Amar Preet Singh welcomed the recent approval allowing private industry to participate in the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), calling it a sign of the nation’s growing confidence in private sector capabilities. He expressed optimism that this milestone would pave the way for more ambitious projects in the future.
Addressing the issue of timely project completion, Amar Preet Singh admitted that delays have been a persistent problem across defense projects and called for introspection to improve performance. Quoting Winston Churchill, he urged industry leaders to seize the moment, calling it “your finest hour.” Amar Preet Singh appealed to manufacturers already excelling in civilian sectors, such as automobiles and electronics, to extend their expertise to producing world-class military equipment—even if it means lower immediate profits—emphasizing collective responsibility to make India a great nation.
Through his remarks, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh clearly conveyed that India’s defense future depends on self-reliance, trust between stakeholders, and a united push from industry and the armed forces. Operation Sindoor, he said, has provided a roadmap for what India needs to achieve next in its defense capabilities.
