Rajnath Singh has taken charge as the Defence Minister for the second consecutive term in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. On Thursday, June 13, he chaired a review meeting to discuss the first 100 days' Action Plan.

This meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Manoj Pande, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, and other key officials.

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In the meeting, Singh emphasised that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, priority areas would be pursued with renewed vigour to strengthen the country's security. "Our focus is on achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Armed Forces modernization and the welfare of the soldiers, both serving and retired, will continue to be our main focus," Singh explained.

Rajnath Singh Highlights Historic Defence Export Progress

One of the significant highlights that was discussed was the progress in defence exports. Singh noted, "A record of Rs 21,083 crore was touched in Financial Year 2023-24. It was historic. Our target will be to export over Rs 50,000 crore worth of defence equipment by 2028-2029."

Singh also commented on the military personnel for their dedication to protecting the country's unity, integrity, and sovereignty. He assured that the Armed Forces are being equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and platforms to enhance their capabilities.

The 100-day agenda places a strong emphasis on the welfare of veterans. Major issues related to the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare were discussed to ensure that the needs and concerns of veterans are addressed. Singh highlighted the importance of regular review meetings to track the progress of flagship schemes that aim at enhancing defence preparedness and promoting self-reliance in defence, known as Aatmanirbharta.

Singh's commitment to maintaining a strong defence apparatus is evident in his plans to conduct regular reviews and interactions with military personnel. His first visit in this tenure will be to the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. During this visit, he will interact with officers and sailors, highlighting the growing importance of the Indian Ocean Region in India's defence strategy.

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