Indian Defence

Indian Defence Rewind 2024

The year 2024 has been a transformative one for India’s defence sector, marked by significant strides in indigenisation, technological advancements, and strategic acquisitions. From achieving unprecedented growth in defence production and exports to the commissioning of cutting-edge military platforms, India has strengthened its self-reliance in defence while maintaining a robust defence posture on the global stage.

Also Read: Made in India Weapons of Indian Armed Forces

Some of the major highlights of 2024 include:

Defence Budget

In the Union Budget of FY 2024-25, MoD has been allocated Rs 6.22 lakh crore (approx. US $75 Billion), the highest among the Ministries. The allocation to MoD for FY 2024-25 is higher by approx. Rs one lakh crore (18.43%) over the allocation for FY 2022-23 and 4.79% more than allocation of FY 2023-24. Out of this, a share of 27.66% goes to capital; 14.82% for revenue expenditure on sustenance and operational preparedness; 30.66% for Pay and Allowances; 22.70% for Defence Pensions, and 4.17% for civil organisations under MoD. The total allocation comes out to approx. 12.90% of Budgetary Estimate of Union of India. 75 per cent of the defence capital procurement budget has been earmarked for domestic industry.

Appointments

  • Shri Rajnath Singh assumed charge as the Raksha Mantri for the second consecutive term in June 2024. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, our aim will be to further strengthen the security apparatus of the country, with focus on achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Armed Forces modernisation and the welfare of the soldiers, both serving and retired, will continue to be our main focus,” he said upon his joining.
  • Shri Sanjay Seth assumed charge of the office of Minister of State, Ministry of Defence in June 2024. He said he would strive towards fulfilment of several initiatives of the Ministry of Defence aimed at strengthening the nation’s security.
  • General Upendra Dwivedi, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh took over as the Chief of the Air Staff, Chief of the Naval Staff and Chief of the Air Staff respectively this year.
  • Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh assumed the office of Defence Secretary and Shri Sanjeev Kumar took over as Secretary (Defence Production).
  • DG Paramesh Sivamani took over as the 26th Director General of Indian Coast Guard.

Aatmanirbharta In Defence

Positive Indigenisation List: To boost Aatmanirbharta in defence & minimise imports by DPSUs, Department of Defence Production in July, notified the fifth Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) consisting of 346 items. These include strategically-important Line Replacement Units/Systems/ Sub-systems/Assemblies/Sub-assemblies/Spares & Components and raw materials.

Record Defence Production: MoD achieved the highest-ever growth in indigenous defence production in value terms during Financial Year (FY) 2023-24, on the back of successful implementation of the policies and initiatives of the Government. The defence production went up to a record-high figure of Rs 1,26,887 crore, reflecting a growth of 16.7% over the defence production of the previous financial year.

Record Defence Exports: Defence exports touched a record Rs 21,083 crore (approx. US$ 2.63 Billion) in the FY2023-24, a growth of 32.5% over the previous fiscal when the figure was Rs 15,920 crore.

C-295 TATA Aircraft Complex: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish President Mr Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing of C-295 transport aircraft at TATA advanced systems limited Campus in Vadodara, Gujarat in October 2024.

Indian Light Tank: Indian Light Tank (ILT) ‘Zorawar’ has achieved a major milestone by firing a number of rounds at different ranges at an altitude of more than 4200m (High Altitude Location) with consistently accurate results.

Major Inductions/Commissioning

INS Arighaat: The second Arihant-Class submarine ‘INS Arighaat’ was commissioned into the Indian Navy on August 29, 2024 at Visakhapatnam in the presence of Raksha Mantri.

INS Tushil: INS Tushil (F 70), the latest multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia on December 09, 2024.

LCH Prachand: Induction of all Light Combat Helicopters LSP was completed in February 2024. IAF personnel were vigorously trained on the system and the LCH successfully participated in Ex Gagan Shakti in April 2024.

INS Sandhayak: INS Sandhayak, the first of four Survey Vessel Large (SVL) was commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Raksha Mantri in February 2024, at Visakhapatnam. Induction of the vessel has enhanced the hydrographic survey capabilities of the Navy and the Nation.

Missile Tests

Mission Divyastra: India joins the MIRV club: On March 11, 2024, India successfully conducted the maiden flight of the nuclear-capable Agni-5 ballistic missile equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology under Mission Divyastra.

Hypersonic milestone: Long-range missile test: India achieved another historic feat on November 16, 2024, with the successful flight trial of its first long-range hypersonic missile, conducted off the coast of Odisha. This indigenously developed missile can reportedly travel at speeds of Mach 6.

K4 SLBM test: On November 27, 2024, India strengthened its nuclear triad capabilities with the successful test of the K4 SLBM. The test, conducted from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat off the coast of Visakhapatnam, marked a major milestone in India’s strategic deterrence.

Major contracts

  • MoD inked a contract with the US Government for Tri-Service procurement of 31 MQ-9B Sky/Sea Guardian High Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) in October 2024. Another contract was signed with General Atomics Global India Pvt Ltd for Performance Based Logistics for these RPAS through Depot Level Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul in India

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited:

  • A contract was signed in September 2024 for 240 AL-31FP Aero Engines for Su-30MKI aircraft at a cost of over Rs 26,000 crore.
  • A contract for procurement of 12 Su-30MKI aircraft along with associated equipment was inked in December 2024, at an approximate cost of Rs 13,500 crore.
  • Two contracts for a combined value of Rs 8,073.17 crore were signed in March 2024 for acquisition of 34 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv Mk III along with Operational Role Equipment for Indian Army (25 ALHs) and Indian Coast Guard (09 ALHs).
  • A contract for RD-33 Aero Engines for MiG-29 aircraft was inked in March 2024 at a cost of Rs 5,249.72 crore. These aero engines will be produced by the Koraput Division of HAL
  • A contract was signed in March 2024 for Mid Life Upgrade of 25 Dornier Aircraft along with associated equipment for the Indian Navy at a cost of Rs 2,890 crore.

Bharat Electronics Limited:

A contract was inked in February 2024 for procurement of 11 Shakti Electronic Warfare Systems along with associated equipment for Indian Navy under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category at a total cost of Rs 2,269.54 crore.

Advanced Weapon Equipment India Limited:

A contract was signed in February 2024 for manufacturing & supply of a total of 463 indigenously manufactured 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote Control Guns for the Indian Navy & Indian Coast Guard at a total cost of Rs 1,752.13 crore, with Indigenous Content of more than 85%.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited:

A contract was inked in January 2024 for acquisition of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) for the Indian Coast Guard. The value of the contract is Rs 1,070.47 crore. These multi-role FPVs will be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured under Buy (Indian-IDDM) Category.

Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited:

In March 2024, a contract was signed for the procurement of 693 Armament Upgrades of Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP2 to BMP2M. This upgrade includes Night Enablement, Gunner Main Sight, Commander Panoramic Sight and Fire Control System (FCS) with Automatic Target Tracker under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.

BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited:

Two contracts were inked in March 2024 for procurement of BrahMos missiles at a cost of Rs 19,518.65 crore and Procurement of Ship borne BrahMos system at a cost of Rs 988.07 crore.

Larsen & Toubro Limited:

  • Two contracts for procurement of Close-in Weapon System at a cost of Rs 7,668.82 crore, and High-Power Radar at a cost of Rs 5,700.13 crore were signed in March 2024.
  • A contract was inked with Larsen & Toubro Limited in December 2024 for procurement of 155 mm/52 calibre K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns for the Indian Army under Buy (Indian) category at a total cost of Rs 7,628.70 crore.

Cochin Shipyard Limited:

A contract was inked in November 2024 for Short Refit and Dry Docking of INS Vikramaditya at an overall cost of Rs 1,207.5 crore.

Chowgule & Company Private Limited:

A contract was signed in October 2024 for procurement of six Air Cushion Vehicles for the Indian Coast Guard at a total cost of Rs 387.44 crore. These amphibious vessels, also called ‘Hovercrafts’, will be procured under the Buy {Indian) category.

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Rajesh Negi

Defence & Sports Enthusiast

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