Overview
Smt. Sitharaman was Raksha Mantri from 2017 to 2019, India’s first full-time woman Defence Minister, and only the second woman overall to hold the post. During her time in office, she prioritized modernisation of the armed forces, boosting defence production under the “Make in India” initiative, and welfare of military personnel and their families. She also pushed for faster decision-making in defence procurement and promoted private sector participation in large strategic partnerships to manufacture defence platforms (e.g. fighter aircraft, submarines) in India.
Notable reforms included setting up of two Defence Industrial Corridors (in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh) for promoting defence manufacturing under 'Make in India' initiative; launching the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative; instituting the ‘Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti’ framework to boost to the IPR culture in indigenous defence industry; and establishing the Defence Planning Committee to better coordinate long-term security strategy. The National War Memorial was built during her tenure and dedicated to the Nation by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in February 2019. The Indian Air Force also conducted the surgical strike on Balakot, Pakistan, in response to the Pulwama attack, under her watch.
Key Highlights
- Launch of Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti
A Government of India initiative to promote indigenous innovation and intellectual property culture in India’s defence production ecosystem, shifting focus from technology import to IP creation. - Defence India Startup Challenge (4 Aug 2018)
Launched by Raksha Mantri to invite startups, MSMEs, and innovators to develop technology solutions for defence needs, with grants and mentoring support. - Enhanced Financial Powers for Armed Forces
Raksha Mantri approved enhanced financial delegation to Vice Chiefs of Indian Armed Forces for revenue procurements, empowering faster acquisition and readiness. - Enhancement of Financial Powers for DRDO
Delegated greater financial powers to Defence Research and Development Establishments (like DRDO) to speed up decision-making and R&D outcomes. - DAC – Simplified Defence Procurement & ‘Make in India’ Boost
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Smt. Sitharaman, approved simplified procedures in procurement, such as the ‘Make-II’ category and fast-track purchases (assault rifles & carbines), to boost indigenous industry participation. - DAC – Measures to Simplify Defence Procurement Procedures
The DAC approved wide-ranging reforms in defence procurement policy aimed at reducing timelines, decentralising powers, cutting repetitive processes and improving acquisition efficiency. - Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor
Raksha Mantri presided over the launch of the UP Defence Industrial Corridor, aimed at attracting significant investments (₹3,700+ crore) in defence production with key industry participation - catalysing regional defence industrialisation. - Inauguration of Diffo Bridge (18 Jan 2019)
Raksha Mantri Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the 426.6 m strategic Diffo Bridge in Arunachal Pradesh, improving all-weather troop connectivity near Indo-China border.
