Published on 17 Feb 2025
Defence indigenisation in India is the strategic development and domestic manufacturing of military equipment to achieve self-reliance enhancing the country's geopolitical stance.
Historical Context
✔ Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), 1983: Initiated to develop a range of missile systems including Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, Nag, and Agni. This marked a significant step in enhancing India’s indigenous missile capabilities.
✔ Self-Reliance Index (SRI) Initiatives: In 1992, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's committee aimed to increase the SRI from 30% to 70% by 2005, a target not yet fully achieved.
✔ Shift to Co-Development: In the 1990s and 2000s, India began co-developing and co-producing defence systems with countries like Russia, Israel, and France, exemplified by the BrahMos missile.
Notable Developments
✔ INS Vikrant: India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier.
✔ Tejas Aircraft: DRDO's indigenous aircraft project, with efforts to develop the Kaveri engine.
✔ Project 75: Development of advanced stealth submarines like INS Kalvari.
✔ Arihant Submarine: India’s first indigenous nuclear submarine.
✔ Agni V: An intercontinental ballistic missile.
✔ Pinaka Rocket Launcher: Developed by RDE, Pune.
✔ BrahMos Missile: A joint venture with Russia.
✔ Arjun Tank: A third-generation main battle tank developed by DRDO.
Challenges to Indigenisation
✔ Deficiency in Defence Planning: Inadequate strategic planning hampers progress.
✔ Institutional Capacity: Limited capacity for timely policy implementation.
✔ Infrastructure Issues: Insufficient production and logistic support infrastructure.
✔ Dispute Resolution: Absence of mechanisms to address disputes effectively.
✔ Land Acquisition Restrictions: Delays in acquiring land for manufacturing facilities.
Government Initiatives
✔ Defence Procurement Policy (2016): Focuses on increasing domestic procurement and supporting Indian industries.
✔ Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX): Provides grants and support for innovations in defence technology.
✔ Defence Industrial Corridors: Established in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to bolster regional defence production capabilities.
✔ Positive Indigenisation Lists: Promote procurement from domestic sources and restrict imports of certain items.
Way Forward
✔ Export High-Value Systems: Focus on exporting high-value platforms like Aircraft Carriers.
● Example: India's offer of LCA-Tejas to Malaysia.
✔ Comprehensive Export Deals: Offer integrated defence export solutions and training.
● Example: India's BrahMos missile export deal with the Philippines.
✔ Leverage Defence Lines of Credit (LoC): Facilitate defence exports to foreign countries.
● Example: India's LoC for defence exports to Vietnam.
Enhance Private Sector Role: Increase private sector involvement in defence production
● Example: Tata and Mahindra's contributions to defence manufacturing in India.
✔ Dedicated Export Promotion Body: Establish a body to streamline defence export initiatives.
● Example: Creation of India's Defence Export Promotion Cell.
✔ Defence Modernisation Fund: Propose a non-lapsable fund to bridge budget.
● Example: UK's Strategic Defence and Security Review fund.
Security
Defence Indigenisation
Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme
Project 75
Defence Industrial Corridors
Indian Military
General Studies Paper 3
Internal Security