India emerged as self-reliant and confident in defence sector: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh

India's defence transformation under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh represents a watershed moment in the country's strategic evolution. The shift from a reactive to a proactive defence policy is not merely rhetorical but reflects deep structural changes in India's approach to national security. Historically, India's defence posture was shaped by the trauma of the 1962 Sino-Indian War and subsequent conflicts, which forced a reliance on imports — at one point making India the world's largest arms importer. The turning point came with the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests, which, despite initial sanctions, eventually led to the 2008 India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement and India's integration into global non-proliferation regimes. The 2016 entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) was a pivotal milestone — it granted India access to high-end missile technology, enabling the development of systems like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile (jointly developed with Russia) and the indigenous Agni-V ICBM with a range exceeding 5,000 km. This membership also facilitated the export of BrahMos to the Philippines in 2022, marking India's emergence as a defence exporter. The 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative, launched in 2020, accelerated this trajectory. The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 introduced categories like 'Buy (Indian-IDDM)' — Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured — prioritizing domestic industry. The government established two Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and corporatized the Ordnance Factory Board into seven Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) in October 2021 to enhance efficiency. The positive indigenization lists (now five editions as of 2024) have progressively banned import of over 4,600 items, creating assured demand for Indian firms. Private sector participation has surged — companies like Tata Advanced Systems, L&T Defence, and Bharat Forge now co-develop platforms such as the K9 Vajra howitzer and the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle. Constitutionally, Article 246 read with the Seventh Schedule places 'defence of India' and 'naval, military and air forces' in the Union List (Entries 1-3), giving Parliament exclusive legislative authority. The Defence Procurement Procedure derives from the executive's financial powers under Article 298, while the President's role as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces (Article 53) underscores civilian control. The recent Theatre Commands reorganization — integrating tri-service operations — aligns with the Chiefs of Staff Committee's evolution into the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) post created in 2019, enhancing jointmanship. Economically, defence production crossed ₹1.27 lakh crore in 2023-24, with exports hitting a record ₹21,083 crore — a 32.5% year-on-year rise. The target of ₹35,000 crore exports by 2025 appears achievable. Politically, this self-reliance bolsters strategic autonomy — evident in India's independent stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its ability to pursue the S-400 deal with Russia despite CAATSA threats. Socially, it fosters national pride and creates high-skilled jobs in STEM. Internationally, India's defence diplomacy — through exercises like Malabar, Milan, and joint patrols — strengthens the Quad and Indo-Pacific partnerships. Future implications are profound: the DRDO's Mission Mode projects (hypersonic missiles, directed energy weapons, AI-enabled systems), the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, and the nuclear-powered submarine programme (Project 75I) will define India's deterrence credibility. However, challenges persist — R&D spending remains at ~0.7% of GDP (vs. 2-3% in major powers), private sector R&D is nascent, and technology transfer absorption needs improvement. The next decade will test whether India can transition from 'assembler' to 'innovator' — a prerequisite for true strategic autonomy in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific.