New Delhi, Oct. 26 -- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday stressed that India's defence self-reliance must go beyond domestic production and ensure cost-effectiveness, operational superiority and global competitiveness.

Addressing Swavlamban 2026 in the national capital, Singh said that while quality and quantity remained important, efficiency and affordability were equally essential to strengthening India's defence manufacturing capabilities.

"At this stage of self-reliance, we must not only focus on domestic production, but ensure that this production is cost-effective, operationally superior, and competitive on a global scale. In other words, it is not just a matter of quality, though quality is certainly a key factor. It is not...