{"id":61331,"date":"2025-12-11T19:10:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T13:40:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=61331"},"modified":"2025-12-13T18:29:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T12:59:01","slug":"make-in-india-defence-sector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/11-12-2025\/make-in-india-defence-sector","title":{"rendered":"Make in India in Defence Sector"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Despite high expectations, the defence announcements during the Russian President\u2019s visit did not materialise as India is <strong>more focused towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Shift in Defence Sector<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Defence Budget: <\/strong>The defence budget has seen a steady rise, growing from <strong>\u20b92.53 lakh crore in 2013\u201314 to \u20b96.81 lakh crore in 2025\u201326.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Production:<\/strong> India, once heavily dependent on arms imports, now has a <strong>defence production value of \u20b91.51 lakh crore,<\/strong> up from \u20b946,000 crore in 2014.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>65% of defence equipment<\/strong> is now manufactured <strong>domestically<\/strong>, a significant shift from the <strong>earlier 65-70%<\/strong> <strong>import dependency<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Export:<\/strong> India\u2019s defence exports have surged from<strong> \u20b9686 crore in 2013\u201314 to \u20b923,622 crore in 2024\u201325,<\/strong> a<strong> 34-fold rise<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>India\u2019s diverse export portfolio includes <\/strong>bulletproof jackets, Dornier (Do-228) aircraft, Chetak helicopters, fast interceptor boats, and lightweight torpedoes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The top three destinations<\/strong> were the <strong>USA, France, and Armenia.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Notably, <strong>&#8216;Made in Bihar&#8217; boots<\/strong> are now part of the Russian Army&#8217;s gear, highlighting India&#8217;s high manufacturing standards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Defence industrial base<\/strong> includes 16 DPSUs, over 430 licensed companies, and approximately 16,000 MSMEs, strengthening indigenous production capabilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India targets \u20b93 lakh crore in defence production by 2029, <\/strong>reinforcing its position as a global defence manufacturing hub.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Need for Defence Acquisition &amp; Indigenisation Reforms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Strategic Autonomy &amp; National Security: <\/strong>Reduces dependence on foreign suppliers, especially during crises and geopolitical tensions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Addressing Capability Gaps: <\/strong>India faces complex security challenges across borders and in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Modernisation is required to replace ageing platforms in the Army, Navy, and Air Force.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reducing Import Bill &amp; Promoting Economic Efficiency: <\/strong>India is among the world\u2019s largest arms importers, indigenous production lowers costs in the long run, reduces foreign exchange outflow, and strengthens the domestic defence economy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Boosting Domestic Defence Industrial Base: <\/strong>Indigenisation stimulates innovation and growth of DPSUs, MSMEs, and private industry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Faster Procurement &amp; Operational Readiness: <\/strong>Domestic manufacturing shortens procurement cycles and ensures timely delivery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Improved Customisation &amp; Adaptability: <\/strong>Indigenous platforms can be tailored to Indian terrain (Himalayan high-altitudes, deserts, maritime zones) which allows continuous upgrades to meet evolving threat environments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technology Sovereignty: <\/strong>Developing indigenous technologies ensures freedom in design, production, and future upgrades. It also prevents vulnerability due to sanctions, supply chain disruptions, or technology denials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Defence Acquisition &amp; Indigenisation Reforms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>DAP 2020 with Focus on Indian-IDDM:<\/strong> It gives the highest priority to the <strong>\u2018Buy (Indian\u2013Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)\u2019 category<\/strong> to ensure that major defence purchases are made from Indian sources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Simplified \u2018Make\u2019 Procedure:<\/strong> Encourages Indian industry to design, develop, and manufacture defence products, reducing import dependence.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Under Make-I,<\/strong> the government funds up to 70% of development costs and reserves certain projects for MSMEs.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Make-II category <\/strong>(industry-funded) offers relaxed eligibility, minimal paperwork, and accepts proposals from industry or individuals.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>So far, 62 projects <\/strong>for the Army, Navy, and Air Force have received \u2018Approval in Principle\u2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Liberalised FDI in Defence: <\/strong>Foreign Direct Investment limit raised to <strong>74%<\/strong> via automatic route for new defence industrial licences, and up to <strong>100% by government approval<\/strong> in cases involving access to advanced technology.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS):<\/strong> DTIS aims to boost indigenisation by providing financial assistance for setting up<strong> eight Greenfield testing and certification facilities<\/strong> in the aerospace and defence sector.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Seven test facilities <\/strong>are already approved in areas like unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare, electro-optics, and communications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Boosting Innovation: iDEX &amp; TDF Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), launched in 2018,<\/strong> supports startups, MSMEs, academia, and innovators with grants and funding to develop technologies for defence and aerospace.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme<\/strong> also funds industries, especially Start-ups and MSMEs upto an amount of Rs. 10 Crore, for innovation, research and development of defence technologies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strategic Partnership (SP) Model: <\/strong>Introduced in 2017 to create long-term partnerships between Indian companies and global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These partnerships focus on technology transfer and setting up manufacturing infrastructure in India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>International Defence Cooperation:<\/strong> In 2019, India signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement with Russia to jointly manufacture spares and components for Russian-origin defence equipment in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indigenisation Portals: SRIJAN Portal<\/strong> (launched 2020) lists defence items previously imported, inviting industry to develop them locally. So far, 46798 items have been listed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ease of Doing Business in Defence: <\/strong>Defence products requiring industrial licences have been rationalised, and most parts\/components no longer need a licence.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Industrial licence validity has been extended from 3 years to 15 years, with a possible 3-year extension, making investment planning easier.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The combination of strategic policy interventions, increased domestic participation, and a focus on indigenous innovation has significantly strengthened the country\u2019s defence capabilities.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>With ambitious targets set for 2029, the nation is poised to further expand its global footprint, reinforcing its position as a dependable partner in the international defence market while enhancing national security.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/india-response-to-russian-push-for-su-57-long-range-drones-and-submarines\/article70380636.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Despite high expectations, the defence announcements during the Russian President\u2019s visit did not materialise as India is more focused towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>India\u2019s Shift in Defence Sector<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Defence Budget: The defence budget has seen a steady rise, growing from \u20b92.53 lakh crore in 2013\u201314 to \u20b96.81 lakh crore in 2025\u201326.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Production: India, once heavily dependent on arms imports, now has a defence production value of \u20b91.51 lakh crore, up from \u20b946,000 crore in 2014.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">65% of defence equipment is now manufactured domestically, a significant shift from the earlier 65-70% import dependency.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/11-12-2025\/make-in-india-defence-sector\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61331","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61331","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61331"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61331\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":61564,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61331\/revisions\/61564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61331"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61331"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}