India’s Army is one of the largest armies in the world, but for a long time we remained dependent on abroad for our weapons and defense equipment. Now under self -sufficient India and Make in India, India is increasingly moving towards indigenization in its defense sector.
This means that we are now trying to make our weapons, missiles, aircraft and small parts ourselves. But the question is, how much indigenge has been done? Which weapons and parts are no longer called from abroad?
How much progress has been made in indigenization?
India’s defense sector first depended on 60-70% foreign weapons. According to the 2014-18 report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India was the second largest weapon importer in the world, taking 9.5% of global imports.
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Things have changed in the last few years. According to the data of the Ministry of Defense …
- Import in 2018-19 was 41.8%, which decreased to 36% in 2020-21.
- In 2023-24 75% defense capital budget was kept for indigenous purchase.
- India imported 9.5% global arms in 2016-20. Import reduced by 11% in 2018-22 as compared to 2013-17.
- The indigenization index (SRI), that is, the indigenous stake in the total defense procurement, was 30% in 1992, which was a target of 70% by 2005. Now it is close to 65%.
The Ministry of Defense has decided to make more than 4,666 goods (such as missiles, radars and parts) indigenous through the positive Indianization List (PIL). Of these, 2,736 items have already become indigenous, which cost Rs 2,570 crore.
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Apart from this, two negative lists of 101 and 108 items were made, which will be banned by 2020-27. In 2023-24, defense production reached Rs 1,087 billion ($ 13.5 billion). Exports increased to Rs 21,083 crore, which is much higher than Rs 686 crore in 2013-14. The government aims to reach defense exports by 2028-29 to Rs 50,000 crore.
Which weapons and parts are no longer called from abroad?
India has succeeded in making many big weapons, missiles and small parts indigenous. This work has been done by DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization), DPSUS (Defense Public Sector Undertakings) and private companies (eg Tata, L&T and Bharat Forge). Below are some major weapons and parts, which are no longer ordered from abroad …
1. Missile System
- Akash missile system: It is air-to-air missile, which can destroy enemy aircraft up to 25-30 km. It has more than 60% indigenous material.
- BrahMos supersonic cruise missile: India and Russia are made up of partnership, but now most of its production is done in India. It was also exported to Myanmar, Vietnam and Philippines.
- Nag Anti-Tank Missile: To destroy the tanks, designed and created entirely in India.
- Pinaka Multi-Marl Rocket Launcher: The rocket system of 40–90 km, which was exported to Armenia for $ 250 million.
- Fire Series (1,2,3,4,5): Long distance ballistic missiles, which are completely indigenous.
- Rudra-m-II missile: Tests took place in 2024, the air -to -ground missile.
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2. Aircraft and helicopter
Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas: The indigenous fighter jet of the Indian Air Force, which makes HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited). It has 60% indigenous parts, although the GE F404 engine currently comes from America. DRDO is now making a Cauvery engine.
Alh Dhruv: Multi-rol chopper, which is for espionage, rescue and transport. It was exported to Ecuador.
LCH Prachanda: Indigenous helicopter, which is for attacks and espionage in high areas like Ladakh.
Rudra: The armed version of Dhruv, which attacks tanks and enemy bases.
3. Naval Equipment
- INS Vikrant: India’s first indigenous aircraft career, which was created by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). It has 80% indigenous material.
- Varunastra torpedo: Torpedo, which destroys submarines, was created by DRDO.
- Marich and Ushus: Anti-Torpedo System and Sonar for the Navy, completely indigenous.
- Tal Shyen Torpedo: Light Torpedo, which was sold to Myanmar and Vietnam.
- Nistar: The first indigenous diving support of the Navy, which has 80% indigenous material.
4. Tanks and Cannons
Arjun mbt mk1a: Indigenous main battle tank, designed by DRDO. It has more indigenous parts than before.
Atags (Advanced Todd Artillery Gun System): A 155mm cannon, whose order of Rs 7,000 crore was given in 2025.
46-meter modular bridge: Bridge for the army, which was made entirely in India.
155mm artillery shells: Bharat Forge supplied 40000 and 50000 shells to UAE.
5. radar and electronics
- Central Acquishan Radar (CAR): Radar tracking enemy planes in the air.
- Weapon locketing radar (WLR): Looks at the enemy’s cannons location.
- Lltr Ashwin: Low-level tracking radar, which catches the target flying at low height in the air.
- AEW & C (Airborne Early Warning and Control): Systems for espionage and monitoring.
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6. Small parts and goods
Aircraft paint: Earlier, it was sourced from abroad, now it is made in India.
Cargo nets and helicopter slings: Carriage mesh and ropes for helicopters.
Parachutes, explosives and clothes: Special clothes and parachutes for the army, which are now exported to more than 30 countries.
2,500 small parts: The parts included in the Annexure-A of the first PIL, such as screws, bolts and electronic components.
7. Drone and AI
AI-Powered Drone: Drones used in Operation Sindoor, which were designed and created in India.
Sky striker drone: Made in India in partnership with Israel.
How did this indigenization happen?
India has taken several steps to increase indigenization …
- Positive Indianization List (PIL): Five lists of 4,666 items, which will be purchased only from indigenous companies.
- Negative List: Ban 310 devices (such as helicopters, drones, cannons) to 2020–27.
- DAP 2020: Buy (Indian-Addm) was given priority in Defense Acquisition Procedure, ie promoting indigenous design and production.
- Srijan portal: 19,509 The first imported items were listed to make indigenous.
- Private Sector Participation: Tata, L&T, Bharat Forge and MSMEs were given large contracts.
- FDI discount: In defense, up to 74% FDI automatic route and 100% government approval.
- Promoting R&D: Funding to startups and MSMEs from Idex and TDF schemes. In 2025, Rs 60 crore was given for TDF and Rs 10 crore for Idex Prime.
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What are the challenges?
Although progress has been made, but some problems are still …
Reduction in R&D: Investments in advanced technology (eg AI, hypersonic missiles) are low.
Private sector low stake: DPSUS is still occupying 70% production.
Import Dependence: Some big equipment (eg Tejas’ GE F404 engine, Apache engine) currently come from abroad.
Criticism of sipri: In 2018-22, India was out of the list of top 25 arms exporters, as there was a decrease in production and technology.
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Success in export
India is now not only making weapons for itself, but is also exporting to more than 30 countries. some examples…
- Armenia ($ 250 million) to Pinaka Rockets and Anti-Tank Munisans.
- UAE ($ 38 million) to 155mm Artillery Shells.
- Ecuador to Alh Dhruv.
- BrahMos to Myanmar, Vietnam and Philippines.
- Parachutes, clothes and explosives: Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Israel.
What next?
Exports by $ 5 billion by 2025: Government aims to take defense exports from 21,083 crore to 50,000 crore.
- Cauvery Engine: Indigenous engine is being built for Tejas, which will reduce imports further.
- Defense Corridor: Defense industrial corridors have been built in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which will increase production.
- AI and Drone: India is working on AI-powered drones and hypersonic technology.
R&D, private sector and MSMEs will have to be further promoted for self -sufficient India. If this pace is on, then India can soon become a global leader in defense, which will not only give strength to its army, but will also show its strength to the world.
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