NEW DELHI — The Press Information Bureau released a fact sheet on 27 September 2026 that charts India’s progress in building a self‑reliant defence industry. The document lists a series of milestones, including increased domestic manufacturing of aircraft, missiles and naval platforms, and highlights the role of public‑private partnerships in achieving these gains. The report also notes that India’s defence procurement now includes a higher share of indigenous components, a move that the Ministry says is a key pillar of national security.
Domestic Production Gains
According to the fact sheet, the Defence Production Board has overseen the ramp‑up of several critical projects. The production of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has expanded to a new assembly line in Bengaluru, while the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has completed the first batch of the Agni‑V missile’s guidance system in domestic facilities. The Ministry’s data shows that, for the fiscal year 2025‑26, 65 per cent of the equipment listed in the Integrated Defence Services (IDS) procurement plan was sourced from Indian manufacturers, up from 58 per cent in the previous year. The report also cites the launch of the “Make in India” Defence Initiative, which has attracted investment from firms such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited.
Strategic Partnerships
While the fact sheet focuses on domestic achievements, it also references India’s growing defence cooperation with the United States. In a separate statement, U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said that the joint exercise Yudh Abhyas, conducted in the Andaman Sea in August 2026, demonstrated the deepening of the India‑U.S. partnership. The exercise, which involved more than 5,000 troops and 30 naval vessels, was described by the ambassador as a “test of interoperability” and a “sign of confidence” in the bilateral defence relationship.
Gor’s remarks were reported by The Indian Awaaz and defence.in, both of which noted that the exercise included live‑fire drills and joint command and control simulations. The U.S. Department of State has previously highlighted the importance of such drills in strengthening regional security and countering maritime threats.
Future Outlook
The Ministry of Defence has outlined a roadmap for the next five years, aiming to increase the share of domestic production to 80 per cent of total defence spend. The plan includes the development of next‑generation naval frigates, a new family of unmanned aerial vehicles, and the expansion of the Integrated Defence Logistics System. The fact sheet also points to the establishment of a Defence Innovation Fund, which will provide seed capital to start‑ups working on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
Experts say that the push for self‑reliance is driven by both strategic autonomy and economic considerations. The Defence Ministry’s data shows that the cost of importing certain weapons systems has risen by 12 per cent over the last three years, while domestic production has benefited from economies of scale and reduced lead times.
In the broader context of India’s national security strategy, the fact sheet stresses that self‑reliance reduces dependency on foreign suppliers and enhances resilience against supply‑chain disruptions. The Ministry also highlighted the role of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) reforms, which aim to streamline approvals and reduce bureaucratic delays.
