Defending the boundaries of the nation is the primary objective of the Modi government. During the 8 years of PM Modi, the defence forces guarding the borders have been held in the highest regard. He has also been cementing the idea of Atmanirbharta within the defence ecosystem. Reforms were brought in at a breakneck pace to ensure that the vision of a strong domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem is realised at the earliest.

The secondary objective is to ensure that India, from a major importer of arms, becomes a major exporter of arms. From setting up defence corridors in various parts of the country to corporatizing the Ordnance factories to an increase in FDI in the defence sectors, many steps have helped in the pace of development..

Positive indigenisation lists

The government seeks to help in promoting domestic industries which would help reduce India’s foreign dependencies for weapons. The positive indigenisation lists contain a roadmap of those weapons, arms and systems that India will not import in future. Knowing such a roadmap and mandate for domestic procurement helps domestic manufacturers ramp up production. This boosts India strategically and at the same time, creates jobs for youth.

So far, 3 Positive Indigenisation lists have been announced

              a) First positive indigenisation List – August 2020
              b) Second positive indigenisation List – May 2021
              c) Third positive indigenisation List – April 2022

310 items were incorporated into these lists as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

Operation and Production Reforms

PM Modi took it upon himself to modernise one of India’s oldest arms factories – The Ordnance Factory Board. The corporatisation helped in modernising the factories which led to an increase in efficiency!

The results of this reform were evident in the first 6 months itself as these autonomous bodies have started to register profits. This indicates the capability of the Indian defence industry, to produce products which meet not just the global standards but ensure the safety of the defence forces protecting our borders. All that is needed is the political will to bring in reforms.

Move towards Atmanirbhar Bharat

PM Modi has always maintained that defence is at the heart of Atmanirbhar Bharat. This has been given speed and scale in the last few years.

The following are some of the big milestones that have been met:

      a) Arjun MK-1A Battle Tank was handed over to the Indian Army – in February 2021. Order for 118 more tanks has been placed.
      b) Tejas was inducted into the Air Force
      c) INS Visakhapatnam was delivered to the Indian Navy
      d) Shakti – Advanced Electronic Warfare System – was handed over to the Indian Navy
      e) Vikrant – Aircraft carrier conducted its maiden sea voyage

The achievements in the delivery of indigenously developed/manufactured systems have only bolstered the confidence in PM Modi’s vision of Atmanirbharta. These developments will further enhance India’s defence capabilities multi-fold in the coming years.

The achievements in the delivery of indigenously developed/manufactured systems have only bolstered the confidence in PM Modi’s vision of Atmanirbharta. These developments will further enhance India’s defence capabilities multi-fold in the coming years.

Defence Industrial Corridor

The Defence Industrial Corridors (DIC) are intended to provide a fillip to strengthening the defence manufacturing ecosystem in India. Currently, 2 DICs have been developed in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

To ensure proper tracking of progress and on-time delivery of the corridors, they have been made part of the PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan.

The DICs will spur a host of defence industries, especially small and medium industries by creating opportunities for them. While this makes India’s defence ecosystem stronger, it also creates jobs for the youth.

iDEX

To promote Indian defence entrepreneurs and start-ups on the global stage, PM Modi has ensured that iDEX encapsulates Make in India and Start-Up India schemes. This would help in promoting innovation and the products.

An outlay of Rs 500 crore has been set aside. This will also help in bringing investments which would bolster India’s arms industry. The latest edition of iDEX was held with the theme of a Start-Up challenge. This helps in creating a better understanding of the needs of the defence forces and the industry can innovate solutions accordingly. This helps empower 300 defence related start-up innovators.

Defence Exports- Story of New India

For the first time in decades, India has made a huge progress in the field of defence exports. PM Modi has ensured that the long term goal of indigenisation is to maintain global standards. This helps in encouraging exports of arms to various countries varying from vehicles to weaponry to services.

BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) inked a contract with the Philippine Department of National Defence for the procurement of a Shore Based Anti-Ship Missile System in January 2022.

The defence exports of 2021-22 stand at Rs 11,607 crore, which is a 500% rise in just 8 years from nearly Rs. 1,900 crore in 2014-15.

Under PM Modi's leadership, India is getting accustomed to taking giant strides rather than small steps. This spirit of 'New India' is reflected in our rapidly rising defence production and exports. From being a country that was heavily dependent on imports for even basic weapons and defence equipment, India is moving towards becoming self-reliant in defence production.