Self-Reliance in Defense Technology: A Path to Strategic Independence

Three frontline vessels, INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vagsheer were commissioned into the Indian Navy, marking a historic first for the country. This significant development highlights India’s growing capabilities in defence technology and its commitment to self-reliance. The commissioning of these advanced warships and submarines is seen as a giant leap forward in empowering the Navy, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizing India’s potential to play a major role in shaping global security, economics, and geopolitical dynamics. The event also underscores India’s approach to development over expansionism as it strengthens its defence forces to meet both regional and global challenges.

Key facts about three naval vessels:

Vessel	INS Nilgiri	INS Surat	INS Vagsheer
Class	Nilgiri-class stealth frigate	Project 15B destroyer	Kalvari-class attack submarine
Type	Stealth Frigate	Stealth Guided Missile Destroyer	Diesel-Electric Attack Submarine
Project	Project 17A	Project 15B	Project 75
Construction	Laid: Dec 2017, Launched: Sept 2019, Delivered: Dec 2024	Launched: 2022, Commissioned: Jan 2025	Laid: 2017, Launched: 2022, Commissioned: 2025
Armament	Supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, MRSAM, 76mm guns, rapid-fire CIWS	Surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, modern sensors	Torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, advanced sonar
Key Capabilities	Anti-surface, anti-air, anti-submarine warfare	AI-enabled, network-centric warfare, offensive operations	Silent and versatile, multi-mission (surveillance, warfare)
Displacement	6,670 tonnes	7,400 tonnes	1,500 tonnes
Speed	30+ knots	30+ knots	N/A (submarine)
Significance	The lead ship of Project 17A, multi-role operations	First AI-enabled warship, enhancing naval capabilities	Final Kalvari-class submarine stealthy attack capabilities

Govt. initiatives to promote self-reliance in Defence technology:

Initiative	Purpose/Objective
Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP)	Prioritizes procurement of defence equipment from domestic sources to promote self-reliance.
Positive Indigenisation Lists	Mandates the armed forces to purchase specific defence items from domestic manufacturers.
Make in India	Encourages the Indian industrial ecosystem to participate in defence manufacturing, boosting local capacity.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)	Liberalized FDI policies to attract foreign investment in the defence sector, enhancing technological capabilities.
Technology Development Fund (TDF)	Supports the development of defence technologies by MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) and startups.
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)	Fosters innovations in defence technology by startups and MSMEs, encouraging cutting-edge developments.
Defence Industrial Corridors	Establishes defence production corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to boost defence manufacturing and infrastructure.
Defence Production & Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP)	Acts as a guiding document to enhance defence production capabilities and promote defence exports.
SRIJAN (Indigenization Portal)	Facilitates the indigenization of defence items by the Indian industry through a dedicated online platform.
Offset Policy	Reforms aimed at attracting investment, technology transfer, and boosting defence manufacturing capabilities.

Why is self-reliance in Defence technology:

1. National Security: Achieving self-reliance in defence technology enhances national security by reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and mitigating the risk of military crises. According to the Ministry of Defence, India currently imports about 60-70% of its defence equipment.
2. Economic Growth: Self-reliance on defence technology contributes to economic growth by creating a large domestic defence industry.  The defence sector is one of India’s largest employers, providing direct employment to over 1.5 million people, with the potential for further expansion as the domestic industry grows.
3. Global Standing:  India is currently the 4th largest exporter of defence equipment, with exports reaching $1.59 billion in 2020-21, as per the Ministry of Defence, and aims to achieve $5 billion in defence exports by 2024.
4. Technological Expertise: Fostering self-reliance in defence technology helps India retain and enhance its technological expertise. For instance, the development of the indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) “Tejas” has significantly improved India’s aircraft design and manufacturing capabilities.
5. Developed Indigenous Technologies: India has developed advanced and complex defence systems, such as the BrahMos missile system and the Arjun tank, which are tailored to meet the unique needs of the Indian Armed Forces. 
6. Increased Domestic Procurement: The Indian government has substantially increased funding for the procurement of domestically produced defence equipment. In 2022, India allocated ₹70,000 crore for procurement from Indian manufacturers as part of its Defence Acquisition Policy, aiming for self-reliance.
7. Introduced Funding for Make-I Projects: Initiatives like the Make-I project, which offers financial support for the development of indigenous defence technologies, are driving the involvement of the private sector. 

Challenges in self-reliance in Defence technology:

1. Funding Constraints: The defence budget, although growing, remains insufficient to support large-scale modernization and advanced technology development. In 2023, India’s defence budget was approximately ₹5.25 lakh crore, which is compared to China and the US is less.
2. Technology Transfer Dependence: India still relies heavily on technology transfer agreements with foreign companies for producing defence equipment. For instance, the deal with France for Rafale. 
3. Import Dependence: Despite efforts towards self-reliance, India continues to import a large portion of its military hardware. In 2021, around 63% of India’s defence equipment was imported.
4. Lack of Technological Depth: India faces challenges in developing the technological depth required for advanced systems. In areas like fighter aircraft engines, India still relies on foreign suppliers, which limits the complete autonomy of the defence sector.
5. Bureaucratic Delays:  According to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, delays in procurement processes have been a recurring issue, often leading to cost overruns and postponed modernization schedules.
6. Meeting Quality Standards:  The lack of rigorous quality checks in the early stages of manufacturing has been a barrier, as seen in the production issues with the Arjun tank in the past.
7. Cyber Security Risks: With rapid advancements in technology, cybersecurity has become a significant concern. Defence systems are increasingly susceptible to cyberattacks, and incidents like the 2020 cyberattack on Indian military systems highlight the vulnerabilities that need to be addressed in national security protocols.
8. Funding for Startups: Startups in the defence sector face challenges in securing consistent funding and market exposure. Only a small fraction of the defence budget is allocated to support innovation from private startups.

Progressive way for self-reliance:

1. Enhancing Domestic R&D: The Indian government has set up dedicated R&D funds like the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), which provides support for cutting-edge defence technologies.
2. Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships: Strengthening collaborations between public and private sectors through initiatives like iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) and Technology Development Fund (TDF) will drive innovation. 
3. Expanding Defence Industrial Infrastructure: The establishment of defence production corridors in states like Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh has been a step towards enhancing India’s manufacturing capabilities. These corridors aim to boost the defence manufacturing sector and attract foreign investment.
4. Implementing Efficient Procurement Processes: Streamlining procurement processes and implementing e-procurement platforms will ensure faster and more efficient acquisition of defence equipment. The Ministry of Defence has already introduced the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020. 
5. Fostering Technological Expertise and Skills: The government’s initiative to establish defence skill development centres in various states is expected to equip youth with skills related to defence manufacturing.
6. Incentivizing Defence Exports: Encouraging defence manufacturers to explore global markets will help India achieve its goal of becoming a major exporter of defence equipment. India’s Defence Production & Export Promotion Policy, introduced in 2020, aims to increase defence exports to $5 billion by 2024.
7. Cybersecurity Measures: Strengthening cybersecurity frameworks is crucial to protect sensitive defence systems from potential threats. 

Conclusion:

The commissioning of advanced warships and submarines like INS Nilgiri, INS Surat, and INS Vagsheer reflects India’s growing defence capabilities and commitment to achieving self-reliance. While challenges remain—such as funding limitations, import dependence, and bureaucratic hurdles India is progressively strengthening its defence sector through strategic initiatives, technological development, and fostering innovation. By continuing to invest in research, enhancing domestic manufacturing capacity, and fostering public-private collaboration, India is on the path to becoming a global defence powerhouse, thereby reducing dependency and boosting national security.

Prelims Question: