Defence Technology, Missiles and Self-Reliance

The defence technology ecosystem

DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation): formed in 1958 and headquartered in New Delhi, with about 40–50 laboratories. It designs weapons systems, which are produced by:

• Defence PSUs: HAL, BEL, BDL, Mazagon Dock, GRSE, BEML;
• the seven new defence companies formed in 2021 by corporatising the Ordnance Factory Board;
• the private sector: L&T, Tata Advanced Systems, Bharat Forge, Adani Defence and many startups.

India's position: India has been one of the world's largest arms importers (SIPRI). Its share of global imports was about 8–9% in 2020–24, second only to Ukraine in that period. Russia was historically the main supplier, but France and the US have grown. Imports have been diversified away from Russia.

Exports: defence exports rose to a record of about ₹23,600 crore in 2024–25. They include:

• BrahMos missiles to the Philippines (2024);
• artillery;
• Akash (Armenia);
• Dornier aircraft;
• body armour.

The target is ₹50,000 crore by 2029.

Missile programmes

Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP, 1983–2008): led by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the "Missile Man". It produced:

• Prithvi: short-range surface-to-surface missile;
• Agni: a family of ballistic missiles;
• Trishul: short-range surface-to-air, later dropped;
• Akash: medium-range surface-to-air missile, inducted in 2015;
• Nag: anti-tank guided missile.

The Agni series:

• Agni-I to Agni-IV: ranges of 700 km to 4,000 km;
• Agni-V: an intercontinental-class missile with a range over 5,000 km. In March 2024, Mission Divyastra tested Agni-V with MIRV technology (multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles);
• Agni-Prime: a new-generation, canister-launched missile; a rail-based mobile launcher was tested in 2025.

BrahMos:

• a supersonic cruise missile (about Mach 2.8), developed jointly with Russia (BrahMos Aerospace, 1998, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers);
• launched from land, sea, air and submarines;
• its range was extended to about 450–500 km after India joined the MTCR in 2016;
• reportedly used in Operation Sindoor (May 2025).

Hypersonic:

• the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV, 2020, a scramjet demonstration);
• a long-range hypersonic missile tested in November 2024.

Missile defence: a two-tier Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system:

• Prithvi Air Defence for exo-atmospheric interception;
• Advanced Air Defence for endo-atmospheric interception.

India also operates the Russian S-400 (from 2021) and has tested directed energy weapons: a laser-based system shot down drones in 2025.

Strategic triad: India can deliver nuclear weapons by land (Agni), air (fighters) and sea, through the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines INS Arihant (commissioned 2016) and INS Arighaat (2024), carrying the K-4/K-15 missiles. The Strategic Forces Command (2003) manages the arsenal.

Aircraft, ships and land systems

Aircraft:

• LCA Tejas: developed by the ADA, built by HAL, inducted in 2016. Mk1A deliveries were delayed by GE F404 engine supplies. The Mk2 and the fifth-generation AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) are under development. An AMCA execution model with private partners was approved in 2025.
• Engines are the critical gap. The GE F414 co-production with HAL followed an agreement in 2023, and a programme with Safran (France) is planned for the AMCA engine.
• Helicopters: the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand (2022) and ALH Dhruv.
• Imports: Rafale (36 for the Air Force, 2016 deal; 26 Rafale-M for the Navy, 2025), C-295 transport aircraft (Tata–Airbus, Vadodara line, 2024).

Navy:

• INS Vikrant, India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, commissioned in September 2022 and built by Cochin Shipyard;
• Project 75 (Scorpène), Project 15B destroyers, and Project 17A frigates;
• an "aatmanirbhar" navy target, with all new ships built in India.

Land:

• Arjun tank;
• Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (exported to Armenia);
• ATAGS artillery gun (orders placed in 2025);
• Zorawar light tank (trials in 2024).

Self-reliance policy

Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 (DAP):

• the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category (indigenously designed, developed and manufactured) gets the highest priority;
• indigenous content requirements;
• leasing allowed;
• a DAP 2026 revision was in preparation in 2025.

Positive indigenisation lists: five lists of about 500 items (weapons and platforms) that will be bought only from domestic sources after set timelines, plus lists of components for DPSUs.

Other measures:

• FDI in defence: 74% through the automatic route (2020), and up to 100% through the government route;
• defence industrial corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu;
• iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence, 2018): grants for startups through challenges; ADITI (2024) for deep tech;
• a growing domestic share of the capital budget: about 75% of the capital acquisition budget was reserved for domestic industry in 2024–25;
• the Technology Development Fund;
• Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme;
• DRDO opening patents and technology to industry at low cost.

Results: domestic defence production reached a record of about ₹1.5 lakh crore in 2024–25, with the private sector's share rising to about 20–23%.

Lessons from recent conflicts

• Ukraine (2022 onward): drones, electronic warfare, long-range strikes and ammunition stockpiles matter. Suppliers can be disrupted by sanctions.
• Operation Sindoor (May 2025): showed India's integrated air defence, including Akash and the S-400, against drones and missiles, and its precision strikes. The government cited it as validation of indigenous systems. Detailed claims about the operation remain contested between India and Pakistan.

Priorities: drones and counter-drone systems, space-based surveillance (the Space-Based Surveillance-3 programme, 52 satellites, approved 2024), AI, and theatre commands for jointness.

Analysis

Achievements: India has built world-class missiles, a nuclear triad, its own carrier and a growing private sector.

Persistent weaknesses:

• engines for jets and tanks;
• semiconductors;
• slow procurement;
• delays in DRDO projects;
• a low R&D share: DRDO's budget is about 5% of the defence budget.

The goal: strategic autonomy, so that India is not dependent on any one supplier in a crisis.

Common prelims traps

• BrahMos is supersonic, not hypersonic.
• IGMDP was launched in 1983.
• INS Vikrant (2022) is India's first indigenous carrier; the earlier INS Vikrant (1961) was British-built.
• The defence corridors are in UP and Tamil Nadu.

Quick self-test

1. *What is MIRV?* Several warheads on one missile, each aimed at a different target.
2. *What is iDEX?* A platform funding defence innovation by startups and MSMEs.
3. *Why are engines a strategic gap?* India still imports or licence-produces jet engines.

Practice: Mains question

*"Atmanirbharta in defence is a strategic necessity, not an economic choice." Discuss India's progress and the remaining gaps. (250 words)*

Key terms

• Ballistic missile: follows a high, arcing trajectory after powered flight, like Agni and Prithvi.
• Cruise missile: flies within the atmosphere, powered throughout its flight, like BrahMos.
• Scramjet: an air-breathing engine for hypersonic speeds (above Mach 5), in which combustion takes place in supersonic airflow.
• Canisterisation: storing a missile in a sealed tube for quick launch and mobility.
• Theatre command: an integrated command of Army, Navy and Air Force units for a geographic area. India is moving towards it, following the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (2019).

• Strategic autonomy: freedom to make defence and foreign policy choices without dependence on any one power.