Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s defence sector has undergone a tactical shift, driven by the ambitious Make in India initiative launched in 2014. This flagship programme aimed to boost domestic manufacturing, reduce dependency on imports, and position India as a global hub for production and innovation. In the defence sector, Make in India, specifically, has been a game-changer—fostering self-reliance, enhancing military capabilities, and elevating India’s stature as a defence exporter. Key indigenous systems like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the Akash air defence missile system, and other home-grown technologies exemplify this revolution.

When PM Modi launched Make in India, the defence sector was identified as a priority area due to India’s heavy reliance on imported arms, which accounted for over 70 per cent of its defence needs in the early 2010s. This dependency under the erstwhile Congress regime not only strained the economy but also posed strategic vulnerabilities. The Make in India programme under Modi sought to address these challenges by promoting indigenous manufacturing, encouraging private sector participation, and liberalising foreign direct investment (FDI) policies.

The FDI cap in defence was raised from 26 per cent to 74 per cent through the automatic route, and up to 100 per cent with government approval—attracting global players to collaborate with Indian firms.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued multiple lists banning the import of over 4,000 items, including weapons and components, to prioritise domestic production. Two defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were established to foster innovation, attract investment, and create ecosystems for defence manufacturing. Private companies like Tata, Adani, and Larsen & Toubro were encouraged to compete with public sector undertakings (PSUs), driving innovation and efficiency. The creation of an Export Promotion Cell and streamlined processes for no-objection certificates (NOCs) facilitated defence exports. These reforms laid the foundation for a robust defence manufacturing ecosystem, with BrahMos and Akash emerging as flagship success stories.

The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, is a cornerstone of India’s indigenous defence capabilities. Named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, BrahMos is the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile, capable of speeds up to Mach 3 and versatile enough to be launched from land, sea, air, and submarines. Under Make in India, BrahMos has become a symbol of India’s........

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