Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has stressed that India must continue pursuing both the Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) framework and the Make in India initiative to build a strong, self-reliant defence industrial base. Speaking on the country’s evolving defence manufacturing strategy, he said the two approaches should be viewed as complementary pillars rather than competing models.
According to Singh, the IDDM category remains the preferred route for acquiring military equipment because it promotes indigenous design, development and production. Encouraging homegrown innovation will strengthen India’s technological capabilities, reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and help create intellectual property within the country. At the same time, he noted that achieving complete self-reliance in advanced defence technologies is a gradual process that requires sustained investment in research, development and industry collaboration.
The Defence Secretary also highlighted the importance of the Make in India programme, which enables global defence manufacturers to produce equipment in partnership with Indian companies. Such collaborations support technology transfer, expand local manufacturing capacity, generate skilled employment and strengthen the domestic defence supply chain. These partnerships also help Indian firms gain valuable experience that can be leveraged in future indigenous programmes.
Singh emphasised that India’s long-term defence preparedness depends on balancing immediate operational requirements with the goal of achieving technological independence. While Make in India can accelerate the availability of advanced military platforms, the IDDM framework will remain essential for building a sustainable ecosystem driven by indigenous innovation.
As India continues to modernise its armed forces and expand defence exports, the government is placing increasing emphasis on strengthening domestic production capabilities. The combined implementation of IDDM and Make in India is expected to play a key role in advancing the country’s vision of becoming a global hub for defence manufacturing while enhancing national security.