NEW DELHI — India’s defence ministry announced a comprehensive fact sheet on 28 September 2026 that charts the country’s progress toward self‑reliance in national security equipment and capabilities. The document, issued by the Press Information Bureau, outlines the growth of domestic production of aircraft, naval platforms, missiles and other critical systems, and stresses that the strategy is part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
Domestic production gains momentum
The fact sheet lists a series of milestones reached over the past decade. It notes that the Indian Armed Forces now operate a larger share of indigenously built platforms, including the Tejas light combat aircraft, the Arjun main battle tank, and the BrahMos missile family. It also highlights the expansion of the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) portfolio, with new projects in hypersonic weapons, autonomous systems and cyber‑defence. The ministry’s statement stresses that these achievements are a result of sustained investment in research, development and manufacturing, and that they contribute to a more resilient national security architecture.
Budgetary support and policy framework
In the same release, the ministry cited the Defence Production Policy 2025, which earmarks 30 % of the defence budget for domestic procurement. The policy also introduces a “Buy Indian” directive that prioritises local suppliers for all major procurement contracts. The fact sheet reports that the Ministry of Defence has signed over 200 contracts with Indian firms in the past year, a 15 % increase from the previous fiscal period. It also references the Defence Procurement Procedure 2024, which streamlines approvals for indigenous projects and reduces lead times for critical equipment.
Strategic partnership with the United States
While the fact sheet focuses on domestic capabilities, it also acknowledges the role of international cooperation in accelerating technology transfer and joint development. The U.S. ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, recently spoke at a briefing on the Indo‑US defence partnership. In an interview with Defence.in, he said that the joint exercise Yudh Abhyas, conducted in the Indian Ocean region, demonstrates the growing strength of the partnership and the complementary nature of India’s self‑reliance efforts with U.S. advanced technology. The Indian Awaaz also reported that Ambassador Gor praised the exercise as a platform for sharing best practices and enhancing interoperability between the two navies.
युद्ध अभ्यास: अंतःक्रियाशीलता की परीक्षा
युद्ध अभ्यास, भारत और संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका के बीच वार्षिक संयुक्त नौसैनिक अभ्यास, 12 से 18 सितंबर 2026 तक आयोजित किया गया। इस अभ्यास में जटिल एंटी‑सबमरीन युद्ध ड्रिल, संयुक्त वायु‑समुद्र संचालन तथा अरब सागर में समन्वित समुद्री सुरक्षा अभ्यास शामिल थे। Defence.in की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, यह पिछले दशक का सबसे बड़ा भारत‑अमेरिका नौसैनिक अभ्यास था और दोनों नौसेनाओं के 30,000 से अधिक कर्मियों को सम्मिलित किया। इस कार्यक्रम को 2024 के भारत‑अ
