Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called on the Indian defence manufacturers to create a "culture of quality" while producing military hardware, describing it as a prerequisite to compete in the global market.

Singh said global demands for Indian products can be created only by ensuring quality, noting that such an approach would help the country become a global hub of defence manufacturing.

Singh pointed out that the countries, which manufacture quality products, export their equipment across the globe and that India has full potential to become a leading manufacturer of defence equipment.

He also underscored the importance of cost control while manufacturing quality defence products.

"Cost control should be given utmost importance; however it should not be at the expense of quality. We have to be globally cost-competitive, but it has to be done by remaining in the top-quality segment," Singh said.

The defence minister also underscored the need to manufacture high-quality military systems which are effective, reliable and safe and can enable the armed forces to accomplish their missions successfully.