India’s Defence Indigenisation and Military Modernisation: A Review of Policy Reforms, Technological Capabilities, Industrial Transformation and Strategic Autonomy

Author

Anoop Ajith M , Dr. V.P.Nedunchezhiyan


Abstract

 India's defence sector has undergone a significant transformation from a predominantly import-dependent system towards a more diversified domestic defence-industrial ecosystem. Defence indigenisation has emerged as an important component of India's broader pursuit of strategic autonomy, technological capability and military modernisation. The introduction of initiatives associated with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat has sought to strengthen indigenous research and development, expand domestic manufacturing, increase private-sector participation, encourage defence start-ups, develop defence industrial corridors and promote exports. At the same time, India's continuing dependence on foreign sources for several critical technologies demonstrates that increases in domestic production do not automatically translate into complete technological self-reliance.

This review article synthesises the available literature on India's defence indigenisation and modernisation, drawing on research articles, policy studies, government documents and recent analyses. The review examines the historical evolution of India's defence-industrial base; the changing procurement architecture; the role of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO); private-sector and start-up participation; defence industrial corridors; technology transfer and foreign collaboration; major indigenous programmes; defence exports; and institutional and legal constraints. The literature indicates substantial progress in domestic production, exports and industrial participation, but also identifies persistent weaknesses in propulsion, advanced electronics, sensors, electronic warfare, testing infrastructure, systems integration and R&D intensity. A recurring issue across the literature is the difference between platform-level indigenous content and deeper technological ownership at the component, design and intellectual-property levels. The review therefore argues that the assessment of self-reliance should move beyond production value and import substitution towards measures of technological depth, indigenous intellectual property, design capability, supply-chain resilience, systems integration and lifecycle support.



Keywords

Defence Indigenisation; Atmanirbhar Bharat; Defence Modernisation; Defence R&D; Strategic Autonomy; Defence Manufacturing; Technology Transfer; Defence Corridors; Defence Exports; India.



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