India’s defence ecosystem is undergoing a fundamental transformation. On September 7, the Defence Acquisition Council cleared acquisition proposals worth ₹1.1 lakh crore for the Army, Navy and Air Force. Nearly 98% of this value will be sourced from Indian industry. Two weeks earlier, the ministry of defence approved the transfer of technology developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the entire conventional missile portfolio to Indian industry. A system of de-facto product reservation, which created public-sector monopolies such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), and Munitions India Limited (MIL), is now steadily giving way to a more level playing field for private enterprise. India is moving from nomination to competition.

The results are already visible. Defence production reached ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY26, a fourfold increase from ₹43,746 crore recorded in FY14. Exports touched ₹38,424 crore, rising 62.66% in a single year, with Indian defence products now reaching more than 80 countries. Private industry already contributes about ₹42,000 crore to defence production.

What makes this moment significant, however, is what is now emerging from Indian factories.

In August, Indo-Russian Rifles test-fired the first AK-203 Sher built entirely from Indian components and input materials. A rifle that began as licensed assembly from imported kits now operates on a wholly domestic supply chain. L&T has built considerable depth in missile systems and naval engineering. Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems have delivered on the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System programme. Solar Industries has fielded........

© hindustantimes