Crowds assembled to witness the Sarang Helicopter Display Team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in action during the 92nd Indian Air Force (IAF) Day parade at the Tambaram Air Force station in Chennai last month. — AFP
Delve inward. Numerous scriptures and philosophies emphasize that the journey to fulfillment begins with self-reflection. This is precisely what India has accomplished in its quest to enhance its defense capabilities, not only for itself but for the global community. This progress is not by chance but the result of a deliberate national effort.
The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, or Self-reliant India Mission, is the Indian government's initiative that fosters public-private collaborations to advance national objectives, particularly in manufacturing. The benefits of this strategy are evident in the defense sector, where significant strides have been made.
Aiming for sustained growth, India's defense production exceeded $12 billion in FY23, marking a robust year-on-year growth rate of over 12 percent. As of early March 2024, FY24 figures stand at $9 billion, indicating promising growth for the current year, aligning with India's status as the world's fourth-largest defense spender.
In July 2024, India declared that 346 additional military hardware items, including 'strategically-important' systems and weapons, would be procured solely from state-run domestic manufacturers. This decision complements the over 12,300 items already indigenized in the past three years.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh envisions strong growth in defense exports, aiming to increase from the current $2.498 billion to $5.925 billion by 2028-29. This ambitious target reflects India's confidence across various sectors. The defense export goal will be supported by the $74.5 billion allocated to the sector in the 2024-25 budget.
Strengthening domestic capabilities comes with challenges, requiring extensive design and development efforts from both public and private sectors. Beyond financial measures, the government is actively engaging with defense manufacturers to address their concerns and boost indigenous production. Over the past years, there has been a nearly 200 percent increase in licenses issued in this sector, catalyzing growth and creating employment.
The 'Make in India' initiative is pivotal in achieving national defense goals. For instance, the Make-I category, involving 90 percent public funding, empowers manufacturers to build rapidly. Meanwhile, Make-II, industry-funded, focuses on prototype development, reducing imports and fostering innovation.
Inadequate domestic defense capabilities can undermine a nation, leading to economic and social instability. Given its vast geography and challenging terrains, India's continued growth in defense capabilities underscores the importance of self-reliance. This demonstrates that the power to effect change begins with introspection.
The author is a writer at Milabalyawmi.
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