Context:

India has been ranked as the second-largest arms importer globally, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report for 2020–2024. 

Key findings of the SIPRI report:

• India’s Arms Imports Decline: India’s share in global arms imports fell to 8.3%, with a 9.3% decrease in imports compared to 2015-2019.
• Russia’s Decrease in Supply: Russia, which was traditionally India’s largest arms supplier, saw its share drop significantly from 72% in 2010–2014 to 36% in 2020–2024.
• France’s Increased Role: France emerged as India’s second-largest arms supplier, providing 28% of India’s arms imports, including high-profile purchases like Rafale jets and Scorpene submarines.
• China’s Decline: China, which was once a significant player, dropped out of the top 10 arms importers due to a stronger domestic defense industry and a 64% decrease in arms imports.
• Regional Trends: Pakistan’s arms imports grew by 61%, with China supplying 81% of its total arms. Conversely, European imports surged due to increased defense spending following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

India’s efforts to reduce dependency on foreign arms imports:

·         Budgetary Allocations: The Indian government has allocated Rs 6.21 lakh crore for defense in the 2024-25 budgets, with 75% of capital procurement reserved for domestic manufacturers.

• SRIJAN Portal: Aimed at promoting self-reliance, the SRIJAN portal facilitates defense procurement from Indian vendors.
• Positive Indigenization Lists: These lists restrict the import of certain defense items, ensuring they are produced within India.
• Defense Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020: DAP prioritizes domestic procurement with categories like “Buy (Indian-IDDM)” for indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured equipment.
• Private Sector Participation: Encouraging private sector involvement, 21% of India’s total defense production now comes from private companies.

India initiatives related to domestic defense manufacturing:

·         Defense Industrial Corridors: Two corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have been established to enhance manufacturing capabilities.

·         Public Sector Units (DPSUs): India’s DPSUs, like HAL and BEL, are leading major indigenization projects like INS Vikrant (aircraft carrier) and LCA Tejas (fighter jet).

·         Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): The government has opened up defense manufacturing to 74% FDI via the automatic route and 100% via the government route, encouraging foreign investments in the sector.

India’s future goals :

• Production Targets: India targets Rs 1.75 lakh crore worth of defense production by 2025, with a goal of Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029.
• R&D & Innovation: Initiatives like iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) are encouraging startups and MSMEs to innovate in military technology. These efforts are crucial for reducing dependency on foreign arms and strengthening India’s defense capabilities.

Conclusion
India’s position as the second-largest arms importer highlights its significant defense needs. However, with ongoing initiatives focused on indigenization, private-sector involvement, and strategic investments, India is poised to reduce its reliance on foreign imports while enhancing its domestic defense production. The SIPRI report reflects both the current challenges and the progressive steps India is taking toward self-reliance in defense.