India is making significant progress in strengthening its defence self-reliance, with domestic procurement expected to exceed ₹1.2 lakh crore by the end of 2024-25. This surge marks a major step toward reducing dependency on foreign suppliers and boosting the local defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted that the government’s focus on indigenous production has transformed the defence sector. Investments in domestic platforms, including drones, missile systems, and naval equipment, have increased steadily over the last few years. Singh emphasized that nurturing local design and development capabilities is crucial to modernizing India’s armed forces and ensuring strategic autonomy.
Despite these advances, experts caution that challenges remain. The Indian Air Force continues to face a shortage of fighter squadrons, operating 29 against the authorized 42. Delays in indigenous fighter programs, such as the Tejas Mk-1A, primarily due to supply chain and engine issues, illustrate that achieving full self-reliance is a complex process.
The government’s continued commitment to sourcing locally signals a clear long-term strategy: strengthen domestic defence manufacturing, reduce reliance on imports, and equip the armed forces with modern, homegrown technology capable of meeting emerging security threats.
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