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India’s defense ambitions have been shaped by a legacy of reliance on foreign imports for military hardware. However, as the fourth-largest military spender globally, the country is now making concerted efforts to reduce this dependence through indigenous production and modernization, aiming for strategic autonomy in a volatile world. This journey, marked by substantial challenges and opportunities, is crucial as India rises as an economic and military power.
Since gaining independence, India’s defense strategy leaned heavily on imports, particularly from allies like the Soviet Union, and later, Russia. Over the decades, other countries such as France, Israel, and the US have also emerged as significant suppliers. This reliance, however, became a strategic vulnerability, especially as India’s economic growth allowed it to enhance defense spending. To counter this dependence, India launched the “Make-in-India” initiative, emphasizing local production and technological development.
Despite the initiative’s clear objectives, India’s path to self-reliance has been incremental, with significant gaps remaining in critical technologies. The urgency to become self-sufficient has only intensified with recent global conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and ongoing strife in Gaza, which have disrupted the global arms trade and redefined military needs. Now, India is prioritizing a mix of indigenous production, foreign partnerships, and selective imports.
The modernization of India’s defense capabilities hinges on aerospace, reflecting a broader global trend where aerospace commands nearly 40 percent of defense spending. Recognizing the strategic importance of controlling airspace, India is focusing on fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters, and air defense systems.
India’s Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates 31 fighter squadrons, short of the authorized 42 squadrons, and is on the cusp of retiring aging Russian MiG-21s and other older models. To bridge the capability gap, India has embarked on ambitious indigenous fighter programs. The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas MK1A represents a significant step, albeit with challenges. The project, which began with its first flight in 2001, has faced delays, partly due to supply deferments of the US-made GE-404 engine. However, India’s military has ordered 180 units, and production is gradually ramping up, with future versions expected to have a higher indigenous content.
The LCA MK2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) represent the next generation of Indian fighter jets, slated for introduction in the 2030s. However, these will require cutting-edge stealth, avionics, and electronic warfare technologies-areas where India still depends on foreign expertise. To address immediate needs, India has initiated plans to acquire 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) from foreign manufacturers, but the procurement process has stalled, awaiting a formal Request for Proposal (RFP). This onetime import will bring in options from the US, Europe, and Russia, including the Boeing F/A-18, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Sukhoi Su-35.
India’s drive toward indigenous fighter production is, in part, a response to the rapid expansion of China’s aerial capabilities. China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) already boasts over 300 fifth-generation fighters and aims to reach 1,000 by 2035. Although India’s AMCA program aims to fill this gap, its timeline means an operational fleet may not be ready until 2035. Therefore, India is exploring options for interim fifth-generation fighters, with Russia’s Su-57 ‘Felon’ and its stealth-capable drone wingman as possible candidates.
India has achieved considerable success with helicopters through indigenous development and joint ventures. The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and its variants have met Indian military needs, with nearly 400 units produced and future requirements estimated at over 600. The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) is expected to replace the aging Cheetah and Chetak fleets, while the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’ has already entered service. Moving forward, India is developing a Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) with potential collaboration with France’s Safran for a new engine, which will replace the aging Mil Mi-17 fleet.
In the realm of air defense, India has significantly enhanced its capabilities by inducting the Russian S-400 air defense system, known for its long-range targeting precision. This, however, is only part of India’s air defense strategy, as it looks to secure more advanced systems through both indigenous development and partnerships. In aerial surveillance, the Indian Air Force currently operates only three large-sized airborne early warning systems based on the IL-76 platform. India is addressing this gap by repurposing six pre-owned Air India aircraft for mid-sized Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems, based on the DRDO-developed ‘Netra’ system.
India also urgently needs additional refueling aircraft. Currently, its fleet consists of seven Ilyushin IL-78 aircraft, and plans are underway to procure pre-owned aircraft and retrofit them with Israeli expertise.
Recent conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh, have underscored the transformative role of drones in modern warfare. Drones now offer cost-effective and highly effective solutions, particularly smaller kamikaze drones and larger unmanned systems. India is actively pursuing drone development through initiatives like iDEX and ADITI, fostering a burgeoning ecosystem with over 100 startups. Companies like IdeaForge and Newspace Research & Technologies are leading the way, and there is considerable scope for foreign collaboration in this sector.
The Indian Navy and Army have joined the Air Force in recognizing the strategic potential of drones, which are essential not only for surveillance but also as potential strike assets. The Navy has an additional need for fighter jets to augment its MiG-29 K fleet and is negotiating to acquire 26 Dassault Rafale Marine jets from France to bolster its air power.
India’s experiences with joint ventures illustrate the advantages of blending domestic and international expertise. The Indo-Russian BrahMos missile project exemplifies this success, with the supersonic cruise missile meeting India’s military needs and finding an export market in countries like the Philippines. The BrahMos joint venture has positioned India as a missile exporter, with additional buyers like Russia, Brazil, and Malaysia showing interest.
Additionally, the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited joint venture, involving the Kalashnikov Concern and Indian state-run defense firms, is producing AK-203 rifles domestically, with a massive order for 670,000 rifles already in delivery. Similarly, a joint venture between Safran and India’s HAL has produced around 1,500 helicopter engines, with Safran also offering to transfer technology to enable domestic production of fighter engines.
Joint ventures extend beyond Russia, with Western companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Israel’s Elbit Systems actively engaged in production collaborations within India. For example, the Adani Group and Elbit Systems have partnered to manufacture the Hermes UAVs, which have high demand globally. Aero-structures for platforms like the F-16 and C-130 are also manufactured in India, underscoring the country’s growing role in the global defense supply chain.
India’s path to defense independence is an ambitious, multi-faceted journey involving indigenous innovation, selective imports, and strategic partnerships. The country’s emphasis on aerospace, drones, and air defense aligns with the modern demands of warfare. While full self-reliance remains a long-term goal, the “Make-in-India” initiative is accelerating progress, supported by foreign collaborations that allow India to leverage the latest technologies.
As India’s geopolitical influence grows, its defense modernization will enable it to face regional and global challenges more independently. Strategic autonomy in defense production not only enhances India’s security but also signals its arrival as a formidable player in the global military arena. With a blend of innovation, collaboration, and persistence, India’s defense future looks promising.
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Nandita Misra, member of the BRICS Journalists Association is a YouTuber based in India. She can be reached via ‘X’ at @NanditaaMisra and her YouTube channel at: @letstalkwithnnditagmishra
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