In the first part of the 2-part series of Defence Mantra on the last two Sundays of 2024, Nitin A. Gokhale and Neelanjana Banerjee talk about the significant developments that India’s defence sector witnessed in 2024, including strategic partnerships, technological advancements, and policy reforms.
Some key points of discussion are as follows:
Strategic Partnerships and Agreements:
- India-U.S. Defence Collaboration: In October, India and the United States signed a deal worth approximately ₹32,000 crore for the procurement of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones, enhancing India’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
- India-Germany Defence Cooperation: In October, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited India to strengthen defence ties, with discussions focusing on collaborative military projects.
- India-Russia Defence Engagement: In December, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, underscoring the ongoing defence cooperation between the two nations.
- Prime Minister Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez inaugurated India’s first private military aircraft plant in Vadodara, boosting New Delhi’s ambitions of growing local manufacturing in its defence and aerospace industries. The two leaders then launched the Tata Aircraft Complex, the manufacturing hub that will produce the Airbus C-295 transport military aircraft in collaboration with Airbus Spain and to be deployed by the Indian air force.
Nitin also mentions India’s approval of the construction of two nuclear powered attack submarines, besides other defence platforms that are likely to get the green signal soon, highlighting the fact that not only Pakistan and China, but we now also have a hostile Bangladesh to deal with.
In terms of policy reforms, India has made dedicated efforts towards ‘Atmanirbharta’, and India’s defence exports surged in the first quarter of FY 2024-25, reaching ₹6,915 crore, reflecting the country’s efforts towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
There have been calls for greater reliance on domestic private companies for defence procurement gained momentum, with industry leaders advocating for policy reforms to enhance efficiency and innovation in defence manufacturing.
These developments underscore India’s commitment to enhancing its defence capabilities through strategic partnerships, technological innovation, and increased participation of the private sector in defence manufacturing.
