Atmanirbhar Bharat -Indigenisation In Defence Sector

We can decide the interiors of our house but couldn't contest for our neighbours and similar challenge Our Bharat is suffering from, we have China, a biggest threat then Pakistan, massive nuisance causing neighbour, Maldives and Srilanka, both are opportunistic for the benefits either from China or India, Bangladesh and Myanmar on the east are also not much trust worthy, already militants are causing menance and insurgency issues in India. Power grasping is important to make crowd stay within their confinement, therefore we have always emphasized to spend huge on the defence sector of the country. 

 Defence Sector in India provides an ocean of opportunities for self-reliance. With large-scale modernisation requirements of the Indian Armed Forces, India’s vision for Atma Nirbhar Bharat has provided further impetus to realise the goal of indigenisation of Defence Sector.

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), have conducted a survey and research where India ranks 4th among 12 Indo-Pacific nations in self-reliant arms production capabilities. But the major concern to highlight, that India is also ranked as the 2nd largest importer of arms for its armed forces in 2016-20. India continues to hold the title of the world's largest arms importer, despite ongoing efforts to bolster its defense-industrial base. Between 2019 and 2023, the country accounted for a significant 9.8% of the total global arms imports, reflecting a strategic vulnerability in its defense procurement.

What is Indigenisation of Defence? 

Indigenisation is the capability of developing and producing any defence equipment within the country for the dual purpose of achieving self reliance and reducing the burden of imports.

Several Indigenous defence projects that Bharat have achieved :- 

1. The Very Short Range Air Defence System, or VSHORADS, is a fourth generation, man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI),a research lab under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), located in Hyderabad. DRDO conducted flight tests of the very short-range air defence system (VSHORADS) missiles, which has a range of up to 6-km, from a ground-based portable launcher from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Off the Odisha coast. 

2. The Srijan Indigenisation Portal was launched in August 2020. Over 34,000 items currently being imported have been uploaded on the portal — nearly a third

of them are already in the process of being indigenised.

3. Institutional Reforms :- In 2019, the government created the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), which is touted as the most significant defence reform since independence. Though the measure was to forge synergy in the functioning of the defence forces—which are often accused of acting in silos—the charter of the CDS and the newly created Department of Military Affairs (DMA) under the CDS has a far-reaching impact on defence indigenisation. Among all the responsibilities, the CDS is also assigned the task of “promoting the use of indigenous equipment by the Services.”

4. MSMEs: The unsung heroes of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the most significant actors in any country’s economic growth. In comparison with marge and medium enterprises, MSMEs contribute more to the nation’s economy, generate employment, enhance indigenous production of goods, exports and much more. Although we perform dexterously in self-reliance, we must still increase our momentum and strength to become completely self-reliant. MSMEs are such players that can accelerate our pace to achieve a high amount of indigenisation in the defence sector. Considering our dependency on Russia, especially for spares (60%-70%), MSMEs can be better and good self reliant alternatives for Indian defence production.

5. The Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau has launched Project 17A frigates. The INS Vindhyagiri, launched in August 2023, is the latest example of this. There is equal focus on missiles, long-range artillery guns, multi-barrel rocket launchers and tanks, besides advanced radars, sensors and electronic capabilities.

The goal of a Viksit Bharat (developed India) by 2047 requires the defence sector to be more resilient and self-reliant. The transformation underway in the defence industrial complex has set the stage for multiple stakeholders to rally and promote domestic technological innovation while cementing strategic partnerships around the world. The day is not far when India will become an integral part of the global defence value chains.