With military Minister Rajnath Singh highlighting that this transition is essential to both national security and India’s expanding role in the global military ecosystem, the country’s defence industry is moving quickly towards self-reliance.
Speaking at a Defence Conclave in April 2025, Singh emphasised that reviving and fortifying the defence industry has been a primary government goal under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direction.
The first significant issue addressed was changing the perspective from relying on imports to developing a strong domestic defence industrial complex that could satisfy India’s demands while increasing exports.
Singh emphasised the achievements of the “Make in India” campaign, which is strengthening India’s defence manufacturing while also increasing the adaptability and robustness of international supply chains.
Indigenous production has increased significantly since the government set aside 75% of the defence procurement budget for domestic businesses. It has risen from ₹40,000 crore in 2014 to over ₹1.27 lakh crore, and is expected to surpass ₹1.60 lakh crore this year. By 2029, the goal is to increase defence output to ₹3 lakh crore.
With exports rising from ₹686 crore in 2013–14 to ₹23,622 crore in 2024–25, India already supplies defensive products to around 100 nations.
By 2029, the government wants exports to total ₹50,000 crore, up from ₹30,000 crore last year. India’s transition from a significant armaments importer to a growing exporter, bolstering its economic standing and strategic independence, is reflected in this export rise.
In strategic areas like missile technology (Agni, BrahMos), submarines (INS Arihant), aircraft carriers (INS Vikrant), artificial intelligence, drones, cyber defence, and hypersonic systems, India is now on par with developed countries.
Remarkably, more than 97% of the warships in the Indian Navy and Coast Guard are currently constructed in Indian shipyards, and these ships are exported to friendly countries like the Maldives, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius.
The issuance of many positive indigenisation lists, which include 509 defence products for the armed forces and more than 5,000 items for Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) that must be produced domestically, further demonstrates the government’s determination towards indigenisation.
Hailed as a historic reform, the 200-year-old Ordnance Factories were corporatised and are today profitable businesses.
Singh also discussed how warfare is changing, pointing out the growing significance of the space and cyber realms as well as the necessity of ongoing reforms and comprehensive capacity building.
To expedite these efforts, the Ministry of Defence has designated 2025 as the “Year of Reforms.”
In addition to protecting national interests through innovation and indigenisation, India’s defence industry is establishing itself as a major force in the global defence arena.
In addition to promoting world peace and robust supply chains, the emphasis on self-reliance, strategic autonomy, and global leadership is making sure that India is ready for any problems that may arise in the future.
