This week, Defence Mantra focuses on Atmanirbharta in Defence, as Self Reliance in Defence was the guiding principle on which BharatShakti’s Founder Nitin Gokhale began his journey as a media entrepreneur 9 years ago on 25 November 2015.
Today, on the eve of BharatShakti’s raising day anniversary, it was only fitting to discuss this journey of India’s transformation and growth in the defence sector, and talk about India’s evolving defence capabilities.
Atmanirbharta is a focused, structured and significant thrust to defence production capabilities of the country for self-reliance and exports in the defence sector.
For decades after independence, India heavily relied on foreign imports for its defence equipment. In fact till the mid-1990s, India imported nearly 70% of its defence equipment. However, in the last few years, and especially the last decade,
the pursuit of Aatmanirbharta in defence (earlier Make in India in Defence), has become a cornerstone of India’s military and geopolitical strategy.
Nitin describes some of the initiatives taken by the government to achieve ‘Atmanirbharta’ in defence including:
• Liberalizing FDI policy: In 2020, the government raised the FDI limit in the defense sector to 74% through the Automatic Route and up to 100% through the Government Route.
• Launching The innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Scheme
• Establishing two Defence Industrial Corridors
• Launching the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) in 2018 to promote innovation in the defence sector
All these initiatives have reaped its rewards.
India’s defence exports increased from ₹686 crore or USD 81 million in 2013-14 to USD 2.51 billion in 2023-24. The government aims to increase defence exports to USD 5.95 billion by 2029.
Nitin also highlights the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on Atmanirbharta in defence highlights India’s growing ambition to strengthen its strategic autonomy and ensure its security independence. He elaborates on the concept and its strategic implications:
By reducing dependency on Imports, Aatmanirbharta aims to encourage the development of indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities. This includes the production of advanced weapons, platforms (like fighter jets, submarines, tanks), and military technologies. Through the above mentioned initiatives, India is focusing on nurturing its defense manufacturing ecosystem. This involves not only the public sector enterprises like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), but also boosting private sector participation. This shift aims to position India as a hub for defense innovation and manufacturing. Atmanirbharta is also about fostering innovation and encouraging collaboration with global defence companies for technology transfer. India’s defence policy encourages joint ventures with international players to build advanced technologies locally.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also said Atmanirbharta in Defence will enhance India’s role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean region (IOR), which is vital for global trade and security. India holds a strategic geopolitical position in the IOR. The IOR is also a flashpoint for geopolitical tensions, especially with rising concerns over China’s growing naval presence and its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Prime Minister Modi’s vision of India as a “net security provider” emphasizes India’s leadership role in ensuring the security and stability of this region.
Atmanirbharta in defence plays a direct role in enhancing India’s naval capabilities, allowing it to project power across the region. With the development of indigenous aircraft carriers like the INS Vikrant, advanced submarines, and naval aircraft, India can secure critical sea lanes of communication and provide support to its neighbours. This makes India a key player in securing regional maritime trade and countering threats from non-state actors and rival powers.
India’s defence self-reliance also opens the door for deeper defense collaborations with neighboring countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius, as well as broader regional partnerships with nations like Australia and ASEAN countries.
And finally, the discussion moves to the broader Implications of the initiative.
• Self-Reliance as a Deterrent: Strengthening India’s defense capabilities through indigenization also acts as a deterrent against adversaries. It signals that India has the capacity to defend its interests without relying heavily on external sources, giving it the flexibility to take strategic decisions autonomously.
• Economic and Strategic Growth: As India builds its defense industry, it also aims to achieve economic growth through exports. The success of Aatmanirbharta could position India as a defence exporter, contributing to both its economic growth and strategic influence globally.
In essence, the pursuit of Atmanirbharta in Defence aligns with India’s broader vision of becoming a “net security provider” in the IOR by ensuring its self-sufficiency in defense production, enhancing its regional and global stature, and securing its national interests.
