India’s Strategic Expansion in Defence Self‑Reliance
INDIAN DEFENCE
India’s Strategic Expansion in Defence Self-Reliance Signals a New Era
India is undergoing a transformative shift in its defence strategy, focusing on self-reliance and indigenisation as pillars of national security and strategic autonomy. Spearheaded by the government’s flagship ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, the country has intensified efforts to reduce dependence on foreign arms imports and build a robust domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has laid out a comprehensive roadmap, which includes the indigenisation of major weapon systems, increased private sector participation, and public–private collaboration in research and development. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently reiterated that India’s vision is to emerge as a net exporter of defence equipment, rather than one of the world’s largest importers—a title it has long held.
A major component of this strategic push is the establishment of Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and now with proposed corridors in Rajasthan and Gujarat. These corridors aim to create clusters of defence manufacturers, startups, MSMEs, and R&D institutions, supported by state governments through incentives and infrastructure. The goal is to create end-to-end ecosystems that can independently produce complex systems like missiles, drones, radars, and military aircraft.
India's push toward self-reliance is not just about hardware. The focus extends to developing critical technologies, including jet engines, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), satellite systems, and cybersecurity solutions. The recent ₹61,000 crore proposal with France to co-develop a next-generation fighter jet engine reflects this shift, showcasing India’s ambition to master high-end aerospace technologies.
Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) like HAL, BEL, BEML, and DRDO are being restructured to work alongside the private sector more efficiently. Simultaneously, Indian startups are playing a growing role—companies like IdeaForge, Tonbo Imaging, and Solar Industries are innovating rapidly in drone tech, surveillance, and precision weaponry. The government's Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) platform has helped integrate 300+ startups into India’s defence supply chain.
In addition, the Positive Indigenisation List introduced by the MoD now includes over 500 defence items that cannot be imported and must be procured domestically. This list includes everything from communication systems to light tanks, helicopters, and guided munitions. The policy not only fuels local industry but forces Indian armed forces to trust and adapt to domestic solutions.
On the global stage, India’s defence exports have grown more than 10 times in the past decade—from ₹1,500 crore in 2015 to nearly ₹16,000 crore in 2024–25. Countries like Vietnam, Philippines, Armenia, Brazil, and the UAE are showing strong interest in Indian products such as the BrahMos missile, Pinaka rocket launchers, Akash SAM systems, and various naval platforms.
While progress is steady, challenges remain. Issues such as bureaucratic delays, lack of private access to advanced military research, skill shortages, and inconsistent procurement processes have often slowed momentum. However, defence reforms like the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and simplified defence acquisition procedures (DAP 2020) are gradually addressing these structural hurdles.
In conclusion, India's strategic expansion in defence self-reliance is not only reshaping its military-industrial complex but also redefining its geopolitical posture. By focusing on indigenisation, technology innovation, and global exports, India is positioning itself as a future-ready defence power—capable of defending its borders, fuelling its economy, and shaping international security partnerships.
