India struggles to achieve self-reliance in defence manufacturing

India's pursuit of defence self-reliance, or 'aatmanirbharta', continues to face significant headwinds as the country struggles to reduce its dependence on foreign defence equipment and technology. Despite numerous government initiatives and strategic announcements over the past decade, import dependency remains stubbornly high across critical defence sectors, from naval vessels to aircraft engines.

The root cause of this persistent challenge lies not in ambition but in execution. Multiple defence modernisation plans have faltered or underdelivered, with ambitious timelines and procurement targets frequently missed. Government agencies, defence research institutions and private contractors have collectively failed to translate policy objectives into functioning supply chains and production capabilities.

Industry observers point to systemic issues including lengthy approval processes, unclear technology transfer requirements, and insufficient coordination between the Ministry of Defence, defence public sector undertakings and the private sector. Manufacturing capacity gaps remain substantial, while domestic research and development initiatives have struggled to keep pace with evolving military requirements and global technological standards.

Official statements continue to emphasise the importance of 'Make in India' in defence, yet the gap between policy rhetoric and ground-level achievement widens. Without addressing fundamental implementation challenges and providing sustained institutional support, analysts suggest India's defence self-reliance ambitions risk remaining aspirational rather than transformative.