New Delhi, Aug. 14 -- Military modernisation driven by a self-reliant and future-ready defence sector is the government's top priority, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday, highlighting the transformation of India's defence sector over the past 12 years.

Addressing soldiers through Akashvani on the eve of the 80th Independence Day, Singh said, "The Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is according the highest priority to the modernisation of the defence forces driven by a self-reliant and future-ready defence sector."

Initiatives such as 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India' have enabled India to cater to its own security needs while emerging as a global defence manufacturing hub and a net defe...