Bharat’s Defence Preparedness Course – One Step at a time

Author: Reeti Prakash

The recent shifts in the world order have created a ripple effect to the global supply chain, as well as demands an evolved agenda on defence readiness. As recently highlighted by the Minister of Defence – “We must be ready for war-like situations”[1], we observe a similar trend across various streams of functioning across the nation. Whether it be economic priorities or administrative solutions, a greater emphasis on military expansion has been a priority.

The Economic Pillar

As India progresses through its Amrit Kaal towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat @ 2047, the Defence Sector comes out as one of the most rapidly growing streams across various other sectors of the Indian Economy. Guided by the vision of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, the Defence sectors currently soars at an all-time high of Rs. 1.51 lakh crore, for FY 2024-25[2]. While domestic production rooted through public-private-partnerships bolsters the defence production stream currently, creation of special vehicles like the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), 2020 also contributes substantially to the increasing domestic procurement market[3]. A manifestation of the same can be seen in the Defence Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu – it will not only maximize Bharat’s defence preparedness, but also effectively harvests the high population gradient of skilled and semi-skilled workforce, thereby serving as a nodal institution promoting economic interests as well. These dedicated industrial corridors have attracted investment of over Rs 8,658 crores and are also facilitated by over 253 MoUs[4].

This growth has been bolstered by the Make in India initiative, which has enabled the development of advanced military platforms including the ‘Dhanush Artillery Gun System, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun, Light Specialist Vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Akash Missile System, Weapon Locating Radar, 3D Tactical Control Radar, and Software Defined Radio (SDR), as well as naval assets like destroyers, indigenous aircraft carriers, submarines, frigates, corvettes, fast patrol vessels, fast attack craft, and offshore patrol vessels’[5].

Focusing on the value of ‘self-reliance’, which elaborates the idea of indigenization and innovation of domestic production through the processes of “Make”, “Design & Development” and “Strategic Partnership”, a heartful surge of 223% has been observed in the overall defence production in the last decade[6]. Moreover, the defence exports from India have also seen a dramatic surge of 34 times the initial estimates – Bharat now stands as a proud exporter of defence equipment to over 100 nations[7]. These numbers not only highlight the growth of domestic defence production sector in leaps and bounds but also underlines the philosophy of economic self-reliance as the carrier to a ‘Viksit Bharat 2047”.

The Administrative Convergence

In view of the administrative developments in the defence arena, the overarching theme of Integrated Theatre Command has long been a part of the public discourse, and a strong factor for policy development in the domain. While the greater forces of Indian Army, Airforce and Navy are seen along convergent lines, we also observe the fringe agencies like the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Forces working along with the mainstream defence forces, thereby having a greater force multiplier effect on the overall defence landscape of Bharat. The recent instance of Exercise Achook Prahar befit the discussion, wherein the Indian Army’s Spear Corps and The Indo-Tibetan Border Police undertook collective training of firepower drills in central Arunachal Pradesh[8]. Such convergences are not just limited to our national borders but also extends to the regional neighbors with similar interests. The Bono Sagar Naval Exercise with Bangladesh, Varuna Naval Exercise with France and Jaa Mata convergence of Japanese and Indian Coast Guards are a few recent examples of our global convergences. Needless to mention, these defence exercises are not just a portrayal of joint interests but also show a strategic alignment towards common goals.

Other Key Initiatives

The Innovation of Defence Excellence (iDEX) stands as a bulwark of the existing vibrant ecosystem committed to innovation and technology development in the defence arena. Launched in April 2018, it brings together MSMEs, entrepreneurs, R&D houses as well as academia to work collectively towards the strategic development of Bharat. The Armed Forces have purchased 43 items worth more than 2,400 crore from MSMEs and startups supported by iDEX, demonstrating growing faith in indigenous innovation for defense preparedness[9].

These initiatives have contributed immensely to the growth of Indian Defence sector, and the effects of the same are also strongly observed in the overall positioning of Bharat as a strong identity in the global south. Bharat has made remarkable progress toward true self-sufficiency by embracing innovation, expanding exports, improving internal security, and enhancing uts indigenous production. Initiatives like iDEX, the Defence Corridors, and Positive Indigenization Lists are laying the foundation for a future-ready defence ecosystem. We are no longer merely defending our borders; we are now on our path to building a strong, self-assured, and independent military power through sustained investments, policy reforms, and a growing global footprint.

References:

[1] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/we-must-stay-prepared-for-war-like-situations-says-rajnath-singh-9524654

[2] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2154551

[3] https://www.mod.gov.in/dod/sites/default/files/DAP2030new.pdf

[4] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154617&ModuleId=3

[5]https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2116612#:~:text=The%20Department%20of%20Defence%20Production,17.4%25%20during%20the%20same%20period.

[6]https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2116612#:~:text=The%20Department%20of%20Defence%20Production,17.4%25%20during%20the%20same%20period.

[7] Ibid

[8] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/arunachal-pradesh/army-itbp-conduct-firepower-drills-in-arunachal-pradesh/article69988970.ece

[9] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154617&ModuleId=3