With the Ministry of Defence setting aggressive targets, India now stands at the threshold of a defence revolution that is all set to take the country’s defence sector to global powerhouse status. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while leading an event in Thiruvananthapuram on August 30, 2024, ascribed the government’s aspiration to achieve Rs 3 lakh crore in defence production and Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029. The announcement, officially released through a press release by the Ministry of Defence, underlines the commitment of the government towards self-reliance and the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
Defence Corridors and Indigenisation Efforts
These include the Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which are central to this mission as these will evolve into hubs for manufacturing defence items. Such corridors would mean an increase in the domestic production of defence equipment while also encouraging the inflow of foreign investments. Positive Indigenisation Lists containing more than 5,500 items have given further strength to the country’s March towards self-reliance. Indigenization, accordingly, helps in reducing dependence on foreign suppliers, thereby enhancing the indigenous capabilities of the country’s defence.
Shift from Imports to Indigenous Manufacturing
Contrasted with the past, when 65-70% of the defence equipment was imported, now 65% of the country’s defence needs are being manufactured within the country. This transformation is very important to achieve strategic autonomy and economic resilience for the nation. Manufacturing the GE-414 engines in India represents a big milestone in this journey, besides being reflective of the growing high-end defence manufacturing capabilities in the country.
Economic Growth and Global Influence
This growth in defence will keep pace with the growth of the overall Indian economy. The annual defence production of the country has already touched more than Rs 1.27 lakh crore, with the target for the current fiscal at Rs 1.75 lakh crore. Defence exports are also high, with Rs 21,000 crore in the FY 2023-24. Thus, the ambitious aim of the government to increase exports up to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029 testifies to the vision set forth by it for positioning India as a global leader in defence manufacturing.
Global Stature and Diplomatic Influence
Meanwhile, India itself is gaining more clout on the international arena. The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh admired the recent feats on the diplomatic front by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who attended summits in Russia and Ukraine. Recognition of Modi as a global leader, coupled with recognition of India as the “biggest voice of the Global South,” shows that in this respect, the country’s stock is rising in international diplomacy. He also outlined the transformational changes that India has undergone in the last decade, for which he credited both the people and the government.
Statistics showing the Growth of Defence
- Annual Defence Production: Rs 1.27 lakh crore; Target Rs 1.75 lakh crore for the current fiscal.
- Defence Exports: ₹ 21,000 crore in FY 2023-24; ₹ 50,000 crore by 2029 (target).
- Indigenisation Shift: Currently, 65% is manufactured domestically, up from the earlier 65-70% imports.
More than a policy change, the strategic step places India in position for long-term growth and influence in the global community. With the country continuing to build on its defence capabilities, it will no doubt play a role in the shaping of the future of global defense and diplomacy.
Analysis: India’s Strategic Shift and Global Implications
India’s defence ambitions are part of a more tectonic strategic shift that revises regional and global power dynamics. Sealing its domestic defence manufacturing with reduced imports, India is furthering its military self-sufficiency and situating its potential position in the global arms market. This turn is seen to come amidst high geopolitical tension, with India’s growing defence capabilities often seen as one counterbalance in the Indo-Pacific. Not less significant is that the Indian push to become a defence exporter fits into its diplomatic strategy of deepening relationships with Global South countries, extending its influence beyond traditional alliances. The ever-growing rise of India brings the defence sector into the limelight, acting as a means of defining its standing in the world.
