India built its armed forces on imported and licence-built, mostly Soviet and Russian, weapons. Since 2014, and especially since DAP 2020, procurement shifted…
India inherited ordnance factories but little design capability. It set up BEL (1954), DRDO (1958) and HAL (1964).
India's first home-designed jet was held back by underpowered engines. Engines are still the hardest part today.
After the 1962 war India signed for MiG-21s, and the 1971 treaty cemented the Soviet Union as its main arms supplier.
India launched the guided-missile programme under Kalam and sanctioned the Light Combat Aircraft, later Tejas.
India co-founded BrahMos Aerospace with Russia to design, build and sell a supersonic cruise missile together.
Defence became a priority manufacturing sector. Production was Rs 46,429 crore and exports just Rs 686 crore.
DAP 2020 put Indian-designed products first with 50% local content, and the first of five lists barred 101 items from import.
The 200-year-old Ordnance Factory Board was split into seven defence companies.
The Philippines signed India's first major missile export, delivered in April 2024. Vietnam and Indonesia followed in 2026.
Designed and built in India, but with GE-designed turbines and imported fighter jets on deck.
The government highlighted Indian systems; SIPRI notes both sides also relied on imported major arms.
Two days after proposing tougher local-content rules, the DAC cleared 114 Rafale fighters, most to be made in India.
Only 4% between 2016-20 and 2021-25. Russia's share fell from 70% to 40% as suppliers diversified.
Production nearly quadrupled since 2014-15, exports grew 56-fold, and private firms made 24% of output.
The IAF has 29 squadrons against 42 authorised, and its indigenous fighter waits on an imported engine.
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