Robust indigenous materials supply chain: Key to Next-Gen Defence Capabilities

While Make in India has laid a firm groundwork to turn the nation self-reliant by 2047, the only way to ensure this upward trajectory is fundamental, yet dynamic and complex. Over the last decade, indigenisation relied on the defence of the Government.

The impetus to innovate, collaborate, build and prototype products, platforms, and technologies within India, for India and the global marketplace has transformed the very fabric of defence manufacturing.

The numbers tell a remarkable story – of a 174% jump in production since 2014-15, coupled with a 30 fold expansion in exports, to 100+ countries. As of the last count, items indigenised include 3,000 from the Positive Indigenisation Lists and 14,000+ items under SRIJAN. While Make in India has laid a firm groundwork to make the Nation self-reliant by 2047, the only way to ensure this upward trajectory is fundamental, yet dynamic and complex – the existence of a robust domestic supply chain.Innovation at scale can be achieved only when the supply of critical materials is free from geopolitical pressures – a feat impossible without indigenisation. When these advanced materials are integrated with frontier technologies, India’s strategic defence preparedness can truly achieve its core objective – to protect its borders, its soldiers and its people with the best that protection can offer.

While Make in India has laid a firm groundwork to turn the nation self-reliant by 2047, the only way to ensure this upward trajectory is fundamental, yet dynamic and complex. Over the last decade, indigenisation relied on the defence of the Government. The impetus to innovate, collaborate, build and prototype products, platforms and technologies within India, for India and the global marketplace has transformed the very fabric of defence manufacturing. The numbers tell a remarkable story – of a 174% jump in production since 2014-15, coupled with a 30 fold expansion in exports, to 100+ countries. As of the last count, items indigenised include 3,000 from the Positive Indigenisation Lists and 14,000+ items under SRIJAN. While Make in India has laid a firm groundwork to make the Nation self-reliant by 2047, the only way to ensure this upward trajectory is fundamental, yet dynamic and complex – the existence of a robust domestic supply chain.Innovation at scale can be achieved only when the supply of critical materials is free from geopolitical pressures – a feat impossible without indigenisation. When these advanced materials are integrated with frontier technologies, India’s strategic defence preparedness can truly achieve its core objective – to protect its borders, its soldiers and its people with the best that protection can offer.This article was originally published on chanakya diaries.