India must accelerate efforts to design, develop and manufacture its own weapons systems to strengthen national security and achieve greater self-reliance in defence technology, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar has said.
Highlighting the importance of indigenous capabilities, Rajesh Kumar stressed that India’s defence sector must move beyond dependence on imported military equipment and focus on creating advanced systems through domestic research, innovation and manufacturing.
The Defence Secretary’s remarks come at a time when India is focusing on transforming its defence ecosystem by encouraging indigenous development across critical areas including fighter aircraft, missiles, drones, naval systems, electronic warfare and advanced military technologies.
Developing homegrown weapons systems is considered essential for maintaining strategic autonomy, especially during situations where international supply chains may face disruptions. Indigenous production gives the armed forces greater control over technology upgrades, maintenance support and operational requirements.
India has been steadily expanding its domestic defence manufacturing capabilities through collaboration between government research organisations, public sector units, private companies and defence start-ups. The growing participation of Indian industries is helping create a stronger defence industrial base while reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian defence companies have been working on several major programmes aimed at improving indigenous capabilities. These include advanced missile systems, combat aircraft technologies, surveillance platforms and next-generation military solutions.
The push for indigenous weapons development is also linked to India’s ambition of becoming a major defence exporter. By building competitive defence technologies, India aims to not only meet the requirements of its armed forces but also supply military equipment to friendly countries.
Modern warfare is increasingly driven by technology, with artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber capabilities and precision weapons becoming important components of military strength. Building expertise in these fields will be crucial for India’s future defence preparedness.
The call for designing and producing indigenous weapons reflects a broader shift in India’s defence strategy – from being primarily an importer of military platforms to becoming a developer and manufacturer of advanced defence systems.
With continued investment in research, innovation and industrial capacity, India aims to strengthen its position as a self-reliant defence power capable of meeting future security challenges.