India’s military arsenal is undergoing a significant transformation because to the country’s Make in India campaign, which is promoting a strong indigenous defense manufacturing sector in place of a significant reliance on imports.
India, the largest arms importer in history, was strategically exposed because it imported the great majority of its military hardware, from fighter jets to artillery, from other nations.
With the introduction of Make in India in 2014, which gave defense manufacturing top priority as a national objective, the landscape started to drastically change. Measurable outcomes have come from this coordinated effort: in FY 2024–2025, indigenous defense output reached ₹1.51 lakh crore, an 18% increase over the previous year.
By 2029, the government wants to reach a production target of 3 lakh crore. Under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, procurement priorities have changed to place more focus on domestic sourcing, with “Buy Indian (IDDM)” being the highest priority category. 65% of India’s defense equipment is now made domestically thanks to a record 177 contracts worth ₹1.68 lakh crore that the Ministry of Defence signed with domestic companies in FY 2024–2025.
This advancement is backed by a thorough set of policies intended to encourage independence and creativity. By 2029, the plan is based on the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020, which calls for ₹3 lakh crore in domestic production and ₹50,000 crore in exports. Import restrictions on more than 5,500 products that fall under Positive Indigenization Lists provide indigenous producers with assured orders.
Successful initiatives like Sagar Defence Engineering’s drone-based surveillance demonstrate how the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) program, which was introduced in 2018, encourages start-up and MSME participation in defense research and development.
While the corporatization of the Ordnance Factory Board into seven defense public sector companies in 2021 aims at operational efficiency and competitiveness, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh’s defense industrial corridors encourage targeted manufacturing and supply chain growth. Furthermore, foreign direct investment policies promote international cooperation and technological transfers by permitting up to 74% automatic FDI and 100% with government approval.
65% of India’s defense equipment is currently made domestically thanks to a major procurement shift under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 that prioritizes “Buy Indian (IDDM).” The Ministry of Defense inked a record 177 contracts for ₹1.68 lakh crore with domestic industry in the fiscal year 2024–2025 alone.
While the corporatization of the Ordnance Factory Board into seven defense public sector companies in 2021 aims at operational efficiency and competitiveness, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh’s defense industrial corridors encourage targeted manufacturing and supply chain growth. Furthermore, foreign direct investment policies promote international cooperation and technological transfers by permitting up to 74% automatic FDI and 100% with government approval.
65% of India’s defense equipment is currently made domestically thanks to a major procurement shift under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 that prioritizes “Buy Indian (IDDM).” The Ministry of Defense inked a record 177 contracts for ₹1.68 lakh crore with domestic industry in the fiscal year 2024–2025 alone.
This change is supported by a comprehensive set of policies intended to encourage independence and technical advancement. The main plan for increasing output and exports is the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020, which aims to produce ₹3 lakh crore and export ₹50,000 crore by 2029.
In order to ensure that these purchases are made to domestic companies and promote local production, the government implemented Positive Indigenization Lists, which prohibit the importation of more than 5,500 commodities. Launched in 2018, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) brings start-ups and MSMEs into defense R&D, resulting in homegrown innovations like drone-based surveillance systems.
Furthermore, the establishment of defense industrial corridors in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh improves supply chain development, infrastructure, and the ability to attract investment. The goal of the Ordnance Factory Board’s corporatization into seven public sector initiatives is to boost productivity and competitiveness internationally.
Additionally, liberalized foreign direct investment laws encourage foreign companies to set up production bases in India, facilitating technology transfer, by allowing up to 74% automatic clearance and 100% with government permission.
Exports are also affected; India’s defense exports increased by an astounding 34 times in just ten years, from a meager ₹686 crore in FY 2013–14 to a record ₹23,622 crore in FY 2024–25.
About 60% of exports to more than 100 nations worldwide, including important arms buyers like the USA, France, and Armenia, are made by private sector businesses, which are at the forefront of this export movement.
India exports a wide range of goods, from patrol boats and bulletproof jackets to advanced systems like the BrahMos cruise missile, which has had notable international success, most notably the agreement with the Philippines.
India’s increasing prominence on the international defense scene is demonstrated by ongoing talks to export the country’s TEJAS fighter and Akash missile system.
India’s expanding capabilities are demonstrated by a number of marquee domestic initiatives. With the MK-1A version, which will be delivered by late 2025 and will have improved radar, avionics, and weapons systems, the TEJAS, an indigenous multi-role fighter jet backed by more than 85 private companies, is approaching significant milestones.
The fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), whose program execution model has been officially accepted, and the TEJAS MK-2 are two more developments under progress.
The 2022 commissioning of India’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant, represents a major advancement in shipbuilding and naval capability. With the successful test-fire of the BrahMos and the Astra MK-1 air-to-air missile from the TEJAS platform, as well as the Agni and Prithvi ballistic missiles, India’s missile programs have developed into one of the most varied arsenals in the world.
Despite impressive advancements, difficulties still exist. Imports are still necessary for essential parts including engines, sensors, and some high-tech subsystems. Large-scale projects sometimes take decades to complete, requiring perseverance and consistent funding.
To close these last gaps and hasten capacity growth, the government is enticing foreign defense businesses to produce locally and promoting private-public collaborations.
Self-reliance is still developing in spite of these developments. Important parts like sophisticated electronics, engines, and sensors are still largely imported. Major projects can take decades to complete, and it’s still difficult to scale production quickly enough to meet demand both domestically and abroad.
In order to overcome these obstacles, the government’s policy places a strong emphasis on luring international defense manufacturers to produce in India and enhancing private-public cooperation.
In summary, India’s Made in India defense program is promoting more strategic autonomy rather than just producing weapons. India is reinventing itself as a major player influencing the global defense industry by decreasing its reliance on imports of foreign weapons, increasing its own industrial capacity, encouraging innovation, and establishing itself as a reliable global arms provider.
This ambitious transition to a self-sufficient and technologically advanced defense environment is exemplified by the nation’s current military arsenal.
Essentially, the goal of India’s Made in India defense initiative is to develop strategic autonomy rather than only produce weapons. The nation is becoming a credible arms provider that influences the global defense market, decreasing its reliance on foreign suppliers, increasing its negotiating strength, and moving beyond the status of a large buyer.
India is paving the way for independence and global defense leadership with its lofty goals, growing industrial capability, and well-defined governmental direction.
