August 8, 2024, the Indian Air Force marked a milestone by conducting its first international exercise, Tarang-Shakti, in Tamil Nadu. June 2024 saw the visit of Jake Sullivan from the USA to Bharat to strike a deal with Hindustan Aeronautics. Such developments come after a long struggle with sanctions and idealism. The ruling party’s move to gear up investment up to 74% in defense is one of the factors for the same.
Recent developments in defense sector
a) Interception of European jets Rafale and Typhoon by indigenous fighter jet Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas
b) Development of a Military-grade bomber UAV by a Flying Wedge Aerospace.
c) Astra microwave is an upgrade of the MFSTAR radar system, to help the air force locate strategic targets.
d) Increasing share of Adani, Tata, and startups in the defense.
e) Atal Gen2, an indigenously designed pistol based on cutting-edge technology and available for both civilian and military purposes.
(Data is taken from the Indian Defense Research Wing).
Refer: https://idrw.org/
What problem does our industry face?
There are multiple issues ranging from software upgrades, testing problems, red tapism, cyber espionage, YJ 18, a new anti-ship cruise missile that will challenge India, Bangladesh-India trade is on halt with the recent coup, and chaos on all ends—Pakistan, Afghanistan, Line of Control, Manipur, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka
What does defense spurt signify?
India and its priorities show that the country does have the kind of resources to fund economically and intellectually and the display of such achievements boost confidence of our neighbors in the Indian defense sector. Exports have already seen record growth, as has our military spending. Future dependence on Russia and France is not a safe bet.
As geopolitical tensions rise, the Indian defense sector will continue to boom. With the motto of “नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्” (Sanskrit: “Nabhah Sprisham Deeptam”), translating to “Touch the sky with glory,” India is embarking on a new journey of being a hegemon.
