New Delhi: Over the past 11 years, India has witnessed an unprecedented revolution in its defence sector, marking a decisive shift from import dependency towards robust indigenous manufacturing and technological prowess. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today lauded these advancements, emphasizing the nation’s collective resolve to fortify its strategic independence and global standing.
India’s defence production has soared by an impressive 174% since 2014-15, reaching ₹1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24. This monumental growth is a direct result of the “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives, which have significantly reduced reliance on foreign suppliers. Concurrently, defence exports have witnessed a staggering 30-fold increase over the last decade, touching a record ₹21,083 crore in FY 2023-24. India now exports defence equipment to over 100 countries, with significant deals like the BrahMos missile sale to the Philippines underscoring its growing global footprint. The government aims to further elevate defence production to ₹3 lakh crore and exports to ₹50,000 crore by 2029.
Pioneering Indigenous Platforms
The heart of India’s self-reliance lies in its burgeoning portfolio of indigenously developed defence platforms:
- Naval Prowess: The commissioning of INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, in 2023 marked a historic milestone, showcasing the nation’s advanced capabilities in designing and building complex naval platforms. India is also actively building submarines under Project 75, contributing significantly to its blue-water navy aspirations.
- Aerial Strength: The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, a 4th-generation multirole aircraft, is steadily replacing older fleets, demonstrating India’s advanced aeronautical engineering. Additionally, the Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand are bolstering India’s aerial combat capabilities.
- Missile Technology: India’s missile arsenal has seen remarkable advancements. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, a joint venture with Russia now largely indigenized, is a testament to precision and power. The Akash missile system, with 96% indigenous content, provides a crucial medium-range surface-to-air defence. Other notable indigenous missile systems include the Agni series (like Agni-5 with a 5,500 km range) and the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher.
- Land Systems: The indigenously developed Arjun Main Battle Tank and the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) are enhancing the Indian Army’s ground combat and artillery capabilities.
Strategic Initiatives and Ecosystem Development
The government’s proactive policies have fostered a conducive environment for defence innovation:
- Defence Industrial Corridors: Two dedicated Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have attracted significant investments, creating regional manufacturing hubs and generating employment.
- Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX): This scheme has been instrumental in engaging startups and MSMEs in defence research and development, leading to cutting-edge solutions in areas like AI, cyber technology, and counter-drone measures. As of February 2025, over 600 startups and MSMEs are actively involved.
- Positive Indigenisation Lists: These lists mandate the armed forces to procure specific items exclusively from domestic manufacturers, further boosting local production.
- Increased Private Sector Participation: The private sector now contributes a significant 21% to total defence production, with companies like Tata Advanced Systems, Mahindra Defence Systems, and L&T playing crucial roles.
- A significant stride has been made in integrating women into the armed forces. Over 500 women officers have been granted permanent commissions, and the National Defence Academy (NDA) has begun inducting female cadets, marking a new era of gender inclusivity in India’s defence forces.
This comprehensive approach, combining policy reforms, technological innovation, and strategic investments, has not only strengthened India’s national security but also positioned it as an emerging global defence manufacturing and export hub. The collective resolve of the Indian people, as highlighted by Prime Minister Modi, continues to be the driving force behind these remarkable achievements.