The Rise of India’s Indigenous Military Power

Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, marks a defining moment in India’s defense narrative. It wasn’t just a display of military precision or geopolitical resolve—it symbolized the operational maturity and rising self-confidence of India’s indigenous defense industry. For the first time in independent India’s history, domestically produced weapons and systems were at the forefront of both offensive and defensive operations, heralding a new era of self-reliance in national security.

During the four-day campaign, indigenously manufactured systems such as the BrahMos missile, Sky Striker drones, Akash surface-to-air missile systems, and the Drone-Detect, Deter, and Destroy (D4) counter-UAV platform demonstrated remarkable effectiveness. These systems worked in tandem with India’s Integrated Air Combat and Control System (IACCS) and the newly deployed Akashteer network, offering a robust shield against Pakistani missile and drone attacks. While imported systems like the French Rafale fighters, SCALP missiles, and the S-400 defense system certainly contributed, it was the performance of Indian-made systems that stole the spotlight—a feat acknowledged with pride by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his national address on May 12.

The achievements of Operation Sindoor are the result of long-term investments by successive governments in developing India’s domestic defense capabilities. However, the significant boost has come post-2014 under the Make in India initiative, which actively invited private sector participation and emphasized reducing dependence on foreign arms suppliers. The once heavily import-dependent sector is now making confident strides toward self-sufficiency, supported by reforms in procurement, R&D policies, and defense exports.

India’s defense production has seen an impressive jump from approximately $888.65 million in 2016–17 to nearly $1.75 billion in 2024–25. Of this, the private sector now contributes about $384 million, or 22%, a dramatic rise considering private firms were prohibited from manufacturing arms just a couple of decades ago. Moreover, India’s defense exports have grown sixteen-fold in the same period—from approximately $18.26 million in 2016–17 to approximately $283.46 million in 2024–25. Today, over 100 Indian companies export military equipment to more than 100 countries. Products such as the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, Dornier aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery systems, and patrol vessels are now part of India’s rapidly expanding defense export basket.

However, despite these commendable achievements, India must continue to strive for more. The security landscape in South Asia remains volatile, and adversaries such as China and Pakistan continue to modernize their military capabilities aggressively. To sustain momentum, India must significantly ramp up its defense research and development (R&D), streamline procurement processes, and strengthen institutional frameworks.

Currently, India’s defense R&D—spearheaded primarily by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)—receives less than 4% of the Ministry of Defence’s budget. In turn, this defense allocation is itself less than 2% of India’s GDP. This dual constraint of a limited defense budget and a negligible R&D share has hampered India’s ability to execute large-scale indigenous projects in a timely and efficient manner.

To overcome this, experts and strategists have long advocated for increasing defense spending to at least 2.5% of GDP in the medium term, eventually rising to 3%. Furthermore, the defense R&D budget must be doubled, with a mandated 25% earmarked for the private sector—a policy announced in the Union Budget of 2022–23 that now needs to be implemented effectively. The proposal would not only boost innovation but also incentivize startups and SMEs working on next-generation defense technologies.

Institutional support must go hand-in-hand with political will. India’s previous successes—in space exploration and nuclear submarine development—have shown that when national projects receive direct attention and monitoring at the highest levels, outcomes tend to exceed expectations. Applying this model to defense, a select list of critical R&D programs—such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), hypersonic missile systems, a next-gen aero engine for stealth aircraft, long-range drones, and beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles—should be monitored under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister’s Office.

The approval of the AMCA execution model, the DRDO-BEL mobile air defense system project, and continuous refinement of the Defense Acquisition Manual are positive signs that institutional mechanisms are evolving. However, success will ultimately depend on timely execution, transparent oversight, and sustained funding. India must also continue to ease the path for private firms by ensuring predictable policy frameworks, faster clearances, and open access to testing and prototyping infrastructure.

Operation Sindoor was not merely a military operation—it was a statement of intent. It validated the readiness, precision, and effectiveness of Indian-made defense platforms under real-world battle conditions. It also conveyed a clear message to both adversaries and allies: India has transformed from a passive buyer in the global arms market to a rising power capable of both developing and deploying cutting-edge systems.

This coming-of-age moment should now be used as a springboard. With the right mix of strategic investment, bureaucratic reforms, and political leadership, India has the opportunity to transform itself into not just a self-reliant military power but also a trusted global defense exporter.

The path ahead is clear. Operation Sindoor has lit the spark—now it is time to turn that spark into a blaze of sustained progress and innovation.