India's Defence Self-Reliance Strategy Gains Momentum as Global Conflicts Reinforce Importance of Indigenous Capability

The wars involving Iran and Ukraine have highlighted the strategic advantages of internal military production. Despite confronting larger and better-equipped adversaries, both countries have prevented outright defeat and strengthened their positions through sustained indigenous manufacturing. Ukraine alone produced four million drones in 2025 and is expected to exceed five million units in 2026, reinforcing the decisive role of domestic defence industries.

Iran's military strategy has been shaped by decades of sanctions imposed since 1979, with additional restrictions introduced over its nuclear programme during the previous decade. Recognising that no external power would provide military assistance or weaponry, Tehran reformulated its defence doctrine around resilience and economic pressure aimed at compelling other nations to influence the United States. Confronted with outdated equipment across its armed forces, Iran concentrated on building an arsenal centred on ballistic missiles and inexpensive drones to compensate for technological limitations. It also leveraged its geography and expanded underground tunnel networks to protect strategic assets from enemy attacks.

Ukraine adopted a different model based on self-reliance combined with improvisation. Russian forces crossed the Ukrainian border on February 24, 2022, with the Kremlin expecting the special military operation to conclude within three days. However, after 1,574 days of fighting, the conflict remains unresolved. Initially dependent on Soviet-era weapons and supplies provided by Western nations, Ukraine began adapting commercially available drones for military purposes. These systems were first used for reconnaissance, then modified to deliver small explosives before evolving into platforms carrying larger explosive payloads against enemy targets. Both sides in the conflict now rely heavily on such systems. The traditionally favourable terrain of Eastern Europe for mobile armoured warfare has largely been transformed into static trench warfare reminiscent of the First World War. Ukraine has emerged as a leader in drone warfare and is producing large numbers of domestically manufactured systems.

India had already initiated efforts to strengthen defence manufacturing before the Prime Minister's call for self-reliance. However, disruptions to international supply chains during the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the push towards indigenous production. Unlike Iran, which concentrated heavily on missiles, or Ukraine, which turned to drones during wartime, India possesses a broader spectrum of capabilities. Its defence ecosystem encompasses missiles, aircraft, naval systems, space assets and emerging technologies, providing a diverse foundation for research and development. This range enables India to formulate a strategy tailored to its geography, security environment and long-term strategic ambitions.

Operation Sindoor demonstrated the practical benefits of this approach. India relied extensively on domestic technology, including Akash missile systems and modified air defence guns, proving that indigenous platforms are capable of delivering results in combat. The operation showed that leveraging national strengths can enhance operational effectiveness while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

Building upon these experiences, India is investing in asymmetric capabilities such as hypersonic long-range anti-ship missiles and the strategic deployment of the S-400 air defence system. These capabilities are intended to create cost-effective deterrence and impose disproportionate costs on adversaries, drawing lessons from Iran and Ukraine while pursuing a distinctly Indian model.

The economic benefits of defence self-reliance are also becoming increasingly evident. Indigenous systems such as BrahMos and Akash have already secured export markets, generating revenue and strengthening diplomatic partnerships. Defence exports help reduce dependence on imports while creating employment opportunities and stimulating industrial growth. By offering advanced yet affordable systems, India aims to expand its influence across Asia and Africa while strengthening its own economic foundation.

Achieving this objective requires a comprehensive national effort. Defence self-reliance cannot remain confined to the armed forces and government laboratories. It requires the integration of industry, academic institutions, start-up enterprises and supportive policy frameworks. Initiatives such as Make in India and Innovations for Defence Excellence have sought to promote innovation and collaboration, but sustained commitment and greater scale remain essential. India must continue efforts to domestically produce critical subsystems, secure supply chains and invest in dual-use technologies that serve both civilian and military purposes.

Although the journey is expected to be lengthy and demanding, India's tailored approach provides a pragmatic and ambitious roadmap. Through proven operational capability, asymmetric innovation, economic gains and a nationwide collaborative framework, defence self-reliance is increasingly positioned to become a defining pillar of India's security architecture and its growing role on the global stage.