A new era dawns as India arms itself strong

November 8, 2025

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new BrahMos Aerospace facility in Lucknow and the Indian Navy commissioned INS Vaghsheer — the sixth and final Scorpene-class submarine built entirely in India — the events carried more than symbolic weight. Together, they marked the culmination of a decade-long transformation that has propelled India from being the world’s largest arms importer to a rising defence powerhouse.

Once known for its dependence on foreign weaponry, India now ranks among the top 25 defence exporters globally and stands fourth in military spending, according to international defence trackers. The shift from buyer to builder represents not only industrial maturity but also strategic autonomy — a cornerstone of India’s quest for global influence.

India’s indigenisation drive gained momentum under the “Make in India” initiative launched in 2014. In less than ten years, the share of domestic procurement in India’s defence capital budget has jumped from 32% to 68%, according to Ministry of Defence data.

At the forefront of this transformation is the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A. With 59% Indian components and powered by GE-F404 engines, Tejas has completed over 10,000 accident-free sorties. The Indian Air Force has ordered 220 aircraft worth ₹1.2 lakh crore, making the platform central to 12 squadrons by 2035.

On land, the Arjun Mark-1A Main Battle Tank, once dismissed as impractical, has outperformed imported models such as the T-90 during desert trials. Featuring 124 improvements — including a 120 mm rifled gun and advanced fire control systems — 118 upgraded Arjun tanks were inducted into the Armoured Corps in 2024. Complementing these are the K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers, built by Larsen & Toubro, and the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), now considered among the most modern artillery platforms outside NATO.

If the Army and Air Force embody progress, the Indian Navy symbolizes transformation. Under Project-75, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders delivered six Scorpene submarines with 64% indigenous content. The upcoming Project-75I, featuring DRDO’s air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, will place India among the few nations mastering this advanced technology.

The commissioning of INS Vikrant in 2022 — India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier — demonstrated the country’s expanding maritime ambition. Vikrant currently operates MiG-29K fighter jets, with naval variants of Tejas expected soon. By 2027, the 65,000-tonne INS Vishal will make India one of only four nations with two operational carrier battle groups.

Additionally, seven Project-17A stealth frigates and eleven next-generation destroyers are under construction, giving India a shipbuilding capacity rivalled only by China and the United States.