India’s arms imports decreased by 9.3% from 2015–2024, emphasizing self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Despite this decrease, India remains the second-largest arms importer globally, primarily sourcing hardware from Russia. The government aims to escalate local production, with major investments planned for defense modernization, aiming for 75% local procurement.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) reported that India’s arms imports decreased by 9.3% between the periods of 2015–2019 and 2020–2024. This decline coincides with the Indian government’s initiative to enhance self-reliance in defense production and reduce reliance on foreign arms. Consequently, while India continues to be the world’s second-largest arms importer, behind war-torn Ukraine, it reflects ongoing security concerns with neighboring countries such as China and Pakistan.

Notably, India has reduced its reliance on Russian military hardware, which comprised 36% of its imports during this period. This is significantly lower compared to 55% in the previous five years and 72% between 2010 and 2014. Despite this reduction, Russia remains India’s principal supplier of arms.

India’s arms imports diminish as the nation experiences unprecedented growth in local defense production, which is projected to surpass ₹1.6 lakh crore by 2025-26. Policy measures supporting this growth include phased import bans on various weapons, establishing a dedicated defense procurement budget for local products, and increasing foreign direct investment in defense sectors.

The Union Budget allocated over ₹6.81 lakh crore for defense spending, prioritizing military modernization with a focus on domestically sourced equipment. Seventy-five percent of this modernization budget will be allocated for purchasing weapons from Indian manufacturers, further emphasizing the commitment to boosting self-reliance in defense capability.

In conclusion, India’s defense procurement landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as the country strives for greater self-reliance while still addressing strategic threats. The decline in arms imports, particularly from Russia, signifies a pivotal change in India’s defense strategy. With solid investments and policy initiatives in domestic production, the Indian defense sector is poised for substantial growth, ensuring national security through enhanced local capabilities.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com

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