As one of the strongest militaries in the world with the 2nd largest military in the world, an extremely capable aerial arm, a blue water navy, and an ever-increasing defence budget year-on-year, let’s check out the various indigenous equipment and components India uses in its entire inventory amidst the never-leaving import-export debates. So buckle up!
Handheld weapons and other Army Equipment
The 2nd largest army in the world has a pretty good percentage of indigenous equipment across guns, mobility platforms and destructive payload. M9/92 FS Berettas, Glocks and 9mm 1As are the three pistols which comprise a massive percentage of Indian active military personnel sidearms. Among these the Auto 9mm 1A is a licensed copy of the original Browning Hi-Power manufactured by Ishapore Rifle Factory, and is used by all the military police personnel and lower ranked officers of the Army. The ASMI is a homegrown submachine gun designed by DRDO and co-manufactured by a private entity Lokesh Machines. It is chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum and the body is quite similar to American civilian Glock PDW conversion kits i.e. using a base pistol on a bigger bodykit, longer barrel and scope mounting provisions to exceed the round’s specifications. It is the latest domestic addition to the Army’s inventory and 550 have been inducted by the Para SF with more to come awaiting trial results in other units.
India doesn’t get the sweetness of being among the countries producing top-notch rifles thus the heavy imports, but regardless of not being comparable to a MCX or HK416 of the world, our country definitely did a lot with the invention of the INSAS family. A family of two – assault rifle and LMG variants – the INSAS was developed by DRDO, manufactured by Ordnance Factories Board, and had been the largest mainstay primary firearm in the Army by numbers for a long time (before the influx of AK47s, 203s, TAVORs, SIGs etc.).
While in the process of being replaced by AK203s, it is unlikely the INSAS platform will be completely benched as long as they hit acceptable target groupings. The AK-203, a modernized version of the iconic AK-47, is being manufactured through a joint venture between the Indian Ministry of Defence and the Russian company Rosoboronexport, with production taking place at the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Uttar Pradesh. Under the agreement, India is expected to produce over 600,000 AK-203 rifles for the Indian Army, with a focus on increasing the level of indigenization over time. The collaboration aims to transfer technology and expertise, enabling India to eventually take over full production. The army received the first batch of AK203s after significant delays in March 2024 with 25% indigenous content.
In February 2024, it was reportedly announced that Adani Defence and Aerospace would kickstart the domestic production of arms, ammunition, rocket and artillery shells in their 202 hectare Kanpur facility. The company is targeting 155mm and 200mm calibre shells, 50000 units of bi-modular charge system for artillery guns, 155mm smoke projectiles, 81/84/120mm mortars, 5 lakh hand grenades and 4 lakh RPGs annually. A JV is up in the grabs between Adani Defence and Israel’s IWI for license-built manufacturing of Negev LMG, Tavor TAR-21s, Galil snipers and Masada pistols – all of which are Israeli weapons currently in Indian Army’s inventory. Indian Army has decent numbers of AK47s and Bengaluru-based startup SSS Defence won the contract of heavy upgrades for the Soviet rifle. The AK upgrades come under SSS Defence’s Special Operations Peculiar MODification (SOPMOD) featuring cheek rest, tactical buttstock, mil-spec aluminium M-LOK compatible quadrail and will be able to mount UBGLs, night sights or laser range finders.
SSS Defence is also wrapped in the SVD Dragunov upgrade program with significant fore and real rail changes having integral Picatinny, wooden parts have been replaced with hard anodized aluminium, wooden stock has been replaced with a light-weight adjustable buttstock with a monopod and cheek rest and a mil-spec bipod. SSS Defence showcases 5 more guns in its portfolio starting from a 5.56×45 carbine to .338 Lapua Magnum chambered sniper. The Saber and Viper are its top two products and has reportedly being granted some international offers. However the company is yet to score an official Indian army entry due to direct choices of SIG 716I imports. To have an option for not using our Barrett M82 anti material rifles whose one round is upwards of 5$ upon firing, India has developed a multi-calibre anti-material/sniper rifle – the Vidhwansak, manufactured by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli. Denel NTW-20 is quoted as the base inspiration, and it has a range of 1800-2000m.
DRDO and Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli co-develop and manufacture ARDE 40mm UBGL (under barrel grenade launchers) for use in the AK47s and INSAS rifles. Nagpur’s Solar Group got a $58 million deal for 10 lakh interchangeable hand grenades, called Shivalik, which can be used in both UBGLs and hand modes. In another significant indigenous advancement, legacy Swedish defence company Saab decided to produce its Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rocket launchers in India. On 4th March, 2024, Saab performed the groundbreaking for the manufacturing facility for the shoulder-launched weapon system Carl-Gustaf in India. The facility, run by the new company, Saab FFVO India, will be located in Jhajjhar, Haryana. This will be the first Carl-Gustaf manufacturing facility outside Sweden. The facility will not just manufacture Carl-Gustaf M4 for the Indian Armed Forces but also components for export to customers of the system around the world.
There has been a very decent increase in indigenization in associated equipment of an individual infantrymen. The old pistol-bulletproof Patka helmets are still used largely in the border areas. These are in the process of being replaced by helmets of MKU and Tata Advanced Systems. TASL is supplying its TATA Advanced Combat Helmet in the frontline while MKU is targeting larger numbers with both domestic and export orders. More than 160,000 MKU Mukuts are in service, while the ore advanced and boltless ballistic ACH and Kavro series helmets are being targeted for foreign and Indian Special Forces. MKU will also be providing Night Vision Goggles for pilots of HAL Dhruv and Rudra. BEL is the largest state-run company for infantrymen electronics, producing image-intensifier based NVBs, NVGsm, Monoculars and Dual-tubed goggles. The company is also making a cheaper alternative of the US’ GPNVG-18, which have been also exported to Brazilian Special Forces.
Combat Vehicles & Mobility platforms –
India’s Arjun MBT (Main Battle Tank), reflects considerable indigenous manufacturing efforts. The hull and chassis of the Arjun MBT are indigenously developed by the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) in Avadi, Tamil Nadu. These are made from advanced composite materials to offer superior protection against kinetic and shaped-charge warheads. The 120mm smoothbore gun of the Arjun MBT is produced by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and the Fire Control System (FCS) is made by DRDO. The Arjun MK1As and subsequent variants will feature greater firepower without compromising on domestically produced equipment. The Bhishma T-90s is the backbone of the tank fleet by numbers and is also built under license from Russia at the Avadi HVF factory, Chennai. The 2400 Soviet BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) are also domestically manufactured in Ordnance Factory Medak, and AVNL has bagged a contract to upgrade the fleet on a batch basis. Sarath is a license-built medic-cum-IFV variant of the BMP-2 which is also built in Medak, with 288 off them being on order. Larsen & Toubro is currently involved in the big project of Zorawar Light Tank programme – intended to deploy lighter and smaller tanks with substantial firepower in the highest of border regions. Rs. 234.5 crore had been initially sanctioned for this ‘Make-In-India I’ acquisition and L&T was selected to be the maker of this ‘mountain tank’. Around 700 of them are being expected to be built in future, but till now the Zorawar prototypes have successfully cleared field trials in September 2024, and declassified updates of October 2024’s missile trials are awaited. 59 units are already in order with 295 more in the pipeline plan. Due to engine supply chain issues, they will be using Cummins VTA903-T760 760hp engines, but DRDO is in process of finding an indigenous solution.
Private firms like Mahindra, TASL, L&T have been instrumental in development of armoured personnel carriers to ‘Make in India’ fire in all cylinders in this defence space. TASL’s Kestrel and Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle, Mahindra’s Marksman ad Armado, Bharat Forge’s Kalyani M4 and OFB’s Aditya are some of the names. The induction of these vehicles in the recent years have increased the ballistic protection of soldiers on the move for quite a bit. Given the severe terrain in the north and these platforms have succeeded all-weather trials, tell a lot about the quality of them when compared to other global competitors. TASL has also got the export order of 150 8×8 Kestrels to Morocco. The Kalyani M4 jointly developed by South Africa’s Paramount Group and is specifically used for mine-protection (able to withstand 10kg TNT under the wheels and 50kg blasts on the side).
The TATA QRFV and OFB Aditya are tagged ‘Medium’ unlike the ‘Heavy Kalyani M4’, and offers protection of upto 21 kg of TNT blasts. The Aditya has even got completed export tags as 124 units was sold to Nepal for anti-surgency ops against Maoist guerillas and an unknown number was exported to Myanmar. An upgrade variant of the Yuktirath is being developed which will offer upto 42kg of explosion immunity. The Mahindra Armored Light Specialist Vehicle / ALSV or better known as Armado is the latest badass addition to tactical light transport fleet. Designed and manufactured by Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, 1300 units are already being used in the Army and special forces. In non-armoured section, Ashok Leyland comes as the leader. More than 70000 of 6×6/8×8/10×10 AL Stallions are in service now. Tata LPTA trucks and BEML Tatra trucks come after the Stallions in for unarmoured transport vehicles.
Artillery
The Dhanush is India’s first indigenous 155mm howitzer, developed by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and DRDO. It is based on the Swedish Bofors design but features substantial Indian content, including modifications and enhancements. The howitzer’s barrel is indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured by OFB. It uses high-strength steel and advanced metallurgy to withstand the pressure and heat generated during firing. The breech mechanism, which controls the firing process, is designed and developed by DRDO. IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur are working on redesigning the existing 155mm shells using ramjet propulsion with 60+ km of range and precision guided trajectory tracking. At DefExpo 2018, an OFB Showcased a vehicle mounted prototype of the towed Dhanush, where the main gun was mounted on an 8×8 Tatra truck made under BHEL’s acquired license, and will reportedly have a maximum road speed of 80 km/h.
The ATAGS is an indigenous 155mm towed howitzer developed by DRDO, Tata Power SED, and Bharat Forge. The ATAGS features an indigenously designed barrel made from high-strength steel, along with an indigenous muzzle brake to manage recoil and minimize blast effects. The gun integrates an advanced FCS developed by DRDO, featuring an automatic laying system, ballistic computer, and an onboard GPS. The ATAGS uses several types of indigenous ammunition developed by OFB, including high explosive (HE), base bleed, and extended range (ERFB) projectiles. OFB and private sector companies are also working to improve ammunition to enhance precision and lethality.
In March 2023, Defense Acquisition Council approved the procurement of 307 ATAGS with an estimated cost of $1 billion. The K9 Vajra-T is a South Korean self-propelled howitzer developed under a technology transfer agreement with Samsung Techwin, a subsidiary of Hahnwa Vision and India’s Larsen & Toubro for domestic manufacturing. The partnership came along in 2012 and as per the agreement, the platform will be manufactured for Indian Army in India using 50% of indigenous content. The chassis assembly and modification is done by L&T, the FCS, artillery positioning system and ballistic computer is handled by DRDO, and the armor is done by Bharat Forge and DRDO once again.
Missile Programs and Air Defence Systems
The medium-range road-mobile SAM system, Akash is developed by DRDO and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). The surveillance and fire control radar, tactical command and control centre, and the missile launch system are developed by BEL, TASL and L&T. The launcher is setup on a BEML-licensed Tatra chassis. Akash’s missiles are guided by an indigenous phased array fire control radar called ‘Rajendra’ which has a tracking range of 60km. It can track 64 targets in range and guide upto 8 missiles at one time. An indigenous marvel to behold, this system made its first export tag to Armenia, 4 launchers have been delivered and another 15 are on order from BDL. The Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air missile (QRSAM) is an indigenous short-range missile system developed by DRDO, BEL and BDL for the Indian Army. According to DRDO, currently the QRSAM, in very limited production stands at 90% indigenous composition and is projected to increase to 99% gradually.
The Barak-8, a jointly developed by India’s DRDO and Israel’s IAI is one of the most fascinating multi-platform surface-to-air missiles our inventory currently have. It can neutralize aircrafts, helicopters, UAVs, anti-ship missiles, combat jets, cruise missiles and even upto ballistic missiles. India’s Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems and TASL also contribute to the manufacturing of these SAMs. A $100 million investment by BDL resulted in a production facility in Hyderabad which produces both the Medium-range (MR-SAM) and Long-range (LR-SAM) variants. The Nilgiri-class frigates are equipped with LR-SAM. In 2019, $93 million deal was done to equip the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier with LR-SAMs along with domestic maintenance. Indian Navy’s Kolkata-class destroyers, Vishakhapatnam-class destroyers, two aircraft carriers and Nilgiri-class frigates are completely equipped with this SAM system. Apart from India and Israel being the obvious users, Azerbaijan and Morocco are confirmed importers with Germany, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, UAE, Philippines, Armenia and Vietnam in the potential buyer list.
The Brahmos is one of the craziest indigenous developments Indian military has ever seen. Although on paper its a Russia-India joint venture in the name of Brahmos Aerospace (by DRDO and NPO Mashinostroyeniya), India holds the majority stake on the company and Russia has neither contributed significantly in the multi-platform programme nor is the country equipping this missile system. The design centre is in New Delhi, integration complex in Hyderabad, production happens in Trivandrum and the assembly occurs in Pilani. It has ship-launched, air-launched, submarine-launched and land-launched variants each having success of crisp clean accuracy. 5 regiments of teh Army use the ground-variant, Sukhoi’s are already being equipped gradually with the air-launched variant and a massive chunk of naval vessels showcase this monstrous innovation. The Vishakhapatnam-class, Kolkata-class, Delhi-class and Rajput-class destroyers, Nilgiri class, Shivalik Class and Talwar-class frigates are equipped with the ship-launched ER variants of the missile. The Prahaar, Pralay, Prithvi I and II, Shaurya short-range/tactical ballistic missiles and the Agni series of ICBMs to name the few the sheer advancements India possess in terms of missile developments. DRDO’s role in nuke-capable ICBMs is astronomical but the component-wise indigenous percentage and participation remain largely classified due to supreme confidentiality of nuclear topics.
Military Aircrafts and Associated Equipment
The 36-unit Dassault Rafale package deal came with its integrated package of the MICA and Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface Storm Shadows and SCALPs and AASM Hammers. But in a major potential step-up for the ‘Make in India’ initiative and broaden the global market for Indian weapons’ integration on foreign platforms, IAF had asked OEM Dassault Aviation to integrate the home-grown weapons on the jet, but whether this will be granted for not is debatable because the complete modifications for Indian armaments will be done by Dassault itself.
2005-2006 saw an $888 million deal for all the existing MiG-29s to be upgraded with better avionics and radar system, beyond visual range combat capabilities, combat ergonomics and inclusion of air-to-ground missiles, bombs along with Vympel R-77 air-to-air missiles. While all these were in the hands of Russia, the country also gave India a license to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to manufacture 120 RD-33 series 3 turbofan engines for our MiG-29s. On August 7, 2024, the Indian Air Force issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) through its Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the upgrade of 24 MiG-29 aircraft. The objective is to integrate the High-Speed Low-Drag (HSLD) Mk 2 bombs and missiles, which have a range of 180 km. This upgrade will include the installation of additional hardware, such as bomb racks on the aircraft’s external hardpoints, along with the necessary software modifications. The project will be managed by the IAF’s No. 11 Base Repair Depot (BRD), and the upgrade will be carried out in phases across the entire MiG-29 fleet. The IAF has also requested the MoD to facilitate the domestic manufacturing of the HSLD Mk 2 in India. The HSLD is a new generation precision guided munition being developed by Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) of DRDO, capable of upto 3m CEP impact accuracy and has semi-active laser homing for superior target acquisition. The complete HSLD programme are being and will be featured on the existing Mirage 2000s, Mig-29s, SEPECAT Jaguars, Sukhoi Su-30MKIs and upcoming HAL Tejas and Prachand helos.
In 2011, India signed a $2.5 million contract with Dassault Aviation to upgrade the Mirage 2000 fighter jets. The whole project is underway and is expected to complete by end-2024/early 2025, since problems like integration of modern avionics to this age old jet, supply chain disruption, pandemic, multiple system integration problems etc. Amid the many upgrades which are done by Dassault themselves, the IAF issued for two RFPs for some indigenous components. The first RFP seeks a consortium of multiple Indian companies to develop a integrated Fly-By-Wire system (to be used for both operational uses and sim testers), with conditions that they need to be developed and manufactured entirely in India, utilize LabVIEW software and PXI instrumentation, and need to be completely compatible with the existing OEM systems. The second RFP is for a indigenously developed and manufactured anti-skid testes for the aircraft to for performance testing of anti-skid braking systems and proper operation during landing and taxing.
The Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, the mainstay backbone of the IAF, may have a family tree in Russia is becoming more and more included with indigenous components year after year. In October 2000, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between India and Russia for the production of 140 Su-30 MKIs, all under license by HAL in the company’s Nasik facility with full Transfer of Technology, which increased to 222 jets. Approximately 920 AL-31FP turbofans were built by HAL’s Koraput factory, mainframe is developed in the Lucknow division, accessories are handled in Hyderabad, while the final assembly, integration and testing are run at the Nasik plant. Since the inked deal, this platform has seen a broad action plan of manufacturing phases with progressively increasing Indian components.
Since 2013, HAL has been responsible for the Flanker buildup from scratch. 2016-2017 saw Indian Sukhoi Flankers in first successful test flights and successive air-launch of Brahmos cruise missiles. Fantastic platform as it is, Ministry of Defence and IAF is keen on sustain the legacy beyond 2055 with the Super Sukhoi upgrade programme. 51 systems of the jet are being upgraded (30 by HAL, 13 by DRDO, 8 by multiple pvt. sector companies) and the indigenous content will be increased to 78%. The current radar system on the Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft is set to be replaced with the advanced DRDO Virupakhsha radar, an enhanced version of the Uttam AESA radar. This upgrade is expected to improve the detection range by 1.5 to 1.7 times, enabling the aircraft to engage long-range weapons like the Astra Mk3 missile. The aircraft’s Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities will also be enhanced with the integration of indigenous systems such as the DARE’s High Band Jammer Pod (HBT), the Dhruti Radar Warning System, and a Dual Color Missile Approach Warning System. Additionally, the upgrade includes the overhaul and repair of the AL-31FP engines. In May 2024, the DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems and Defence Integration Complex (CASDIC) issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) to collaborate with a Development-cum-Production Partner for the creation of an indigenous Electronic Warfare suite. The Design and Development (D&D) phase of the project is allocated a period of 32 months, covering the integration, testing, and trials of the newly developed system. A total of 950 engines are required for the fleet.
On September 2, 2024, the CCS approved the purchase of 240 such engines for ₹26,000 crore (US$3.1 billion). The engines will be delivered over a period ranging from one year after the contract signing to the eighth year, with production taking place at HAL’s Engine Division in Koraput. The engines will have an indigenous content of 54%, and the official contract was signed on September 9, 2024. Meanwhile, IIT Bombay is working on developing an Artificial Intelligence-based system for engine and asset maintenance, aimed at optimizing spares, inventory management, and the overall combat readiness of the fleet. This AI solution will replace the current electronic maintenance management system. As of November 2024, the financial aspects of the upgrade programme are still under evaluation, with the Cabinet Committee on Security expected to grant clearance by early 2025. Once approved, the upgrade process will take 5 to 7 years to complete for the first batch of 84 jets. Sukhoi will also be involved in upgrading the fly-by-wire system as part of the programme.
As of 2022, the HAL Tejas features indigenous content of 59.7% and it shots up to 75.5% when considering replaceable units. The body components are all manufactured by HAL itself. Its electronic warfare suite, radar warning receiver, self-protection jammer, chaff and flare dispenser systems are developed by Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) and manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). Majority of the fighters of Mark 1A and afterwards will feature the indigenous Uttam AESA radar. The digital flight control computer is developed by ADE. Amidst the 8 contestants in the MRFA open tender, only the Lockheed Martin F-21 flaunts a huge ‘Make in India’ potential, if the company wins the contract. While the other aircrafts might come up with wooing MRO facilities, F-21 can only offer more in the name of Atmanirbhar Bharat due to the fact that the jet doesn’t exist and has been specifically marketed for India’s MRFA program. The jet is itself an upgraded variant of the F-16 Block E/Fs and is most likely to be eliminated due to factors like no proven physical prototype and similarity of base jet with the Pak F16s etc.
IAF has only two AEW&CS platforms (Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems) and among this is the extremely capable Netra Mk1 which has a DRDO developed Netra AEW&C radar equipped in a Brazilian Embraer R-99. It is used for surveillance, tracking, identification and classification of airborne and sea-surface targets, and ballistic missile detection while on the air. The Dornier 228 twin-turboprop STOL utility aircraft is license-built in HAL’s Kanpur factory including wings, tail, fuselage, propeller and certain tail parts. IAF has 12 Lockheed Martin C130J Super Hercules, and LM and Tata Advanced Systems Limited has formed a joint venture (September 2024) to setup a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for our existing fleet and a possible expansion for future global C130 fleets. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus have officially inaugurated the Final Assembly Line (FAL) complex for the Airbus C295 aircraft in Vadodara, Gujarat, marking a significant milestone for India’s Aerospace & Defence sector. This collaboration between TASL and Airbus is a key component of the ambitious ‘Make in India’ initiative, with the goal of delivering 56 C295 aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Vadodara FAL will handle the full integration process, including the manufacturing of detailed parts, tooling, sub-assemblies, major components, and testers. Additionally, production of the C295’s components has already commenced at the Main Component Assembly (MCA) facility in Hyderabad. Parts for the first C295 aircraft to be assembled in India have been shipped to the Vadodara FAL, where they will be assembled before being delivered to the IAF.
The Prachand LCH is the best example of a domestically developed and manufactured hardcore combat helo platform with 50-55% indigenization and offering room for more in future upgrades. It is designed by Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre (RWR&DC), an internal helo design office of HAL. It uses two HAL-Safran co-developed Shakti-1H1-Turbomeca engines, capable of producing 1384 horsepower. Bengaluru-based TimeTooth Technologies is responsible for indigenization of Rotor Damp System. It features Elbit Systems Compass sensor suite locally made by BEL. The Integrated Architecture Display System (IADS) and Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) are also developed by HAL with different private sector companies’ participation. Similar indigenization also follows in the Dhruv and Rudra utility helicopters with the design being made by RWR&DC, manufactured in HAL facilities and avionics and sensor suite made by BEL. In another ‘Make in India’ advancement, Tata Advanced Systems is responsible for manufacturing the ‘crown’ and ‘tail cones’ of the Ch-47 Chinook helicopter – for both IAF’s 15 units and global orders, all in the Hyderabad facility. In 2022, TASL completed the 200th such manufacturing of a CH-47 order. Couple of Mil Mi-17s have gone through heavy indigenous upgrades in its subsystems through participation of multiple private companies.
The Boeing-made P8I Poseidon is one of the most important assets of Indian Navy’s Naval Air Arm, and this ‘Submarine-Killer’ features a BEL Data Link II communications system for exchanging data between navy other navy aircrafts, ships and base establishments. It also has a BEL-developed IFF combat identification system for Command and Control. Boeing India and AIESL (AI Engineering Services Limited) have partnered to provide in-country overhaul services of critical components for the Indian Navy’s fleet of 12 Boeing P-8I aircraft. As part of the partnership, the first landing gear overhaul of a P-8I aircraft was recently completed at INS Rajali. The Boeing India – AIESL partnership is the latest development under the Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) hub program. The BIRDS hub is a local network of suppliers working to build a robust MRO ecosystem for defence and commercial aircraft, which aims to establish industry benchmarks in India for maintenance and repair, platform availability, customer satisfaction, and rapid turnaround time.
Naval Platforms
The Indian Navy is one of the handful seven blue-water navies in the world and has seen a massive ramp up in indigenous manufacturing. Apart from the existing vessels, multiple projects are being built and in further pipeline, in a bid to counter China’s ever-increasing naval strength and to increase deepwater strengthening. Majority of the surface ships are completely in-house manufactured by the shipyards namely Mazagaon Docks (MDL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Cochin Shipyard (CSL), Hindustan shipyard (HSL), Goa Shipyard (GSL) all of which are managed under Ministry of Defence. The indigenous percentage of internal components have also been growing year-on-year. DRDO, SAIL, BALCO are major players in R&D of hull construction materials. L&T Shipyard has entered this industry with a new shipyard of them at Kattupalli, Chennai where two Multi-Purpose Vessels are being built, and is one of the only two shipyards where US Navy ships come for maintenance and overhaul. Cochin Shipyard is the only one to have a dry dock able to build an aircraft carrier.
BHEL is a major player for the steam turbines. Crompton and Desmi are two of the main players for chilled water pumps, sea water pumps and AC plants. Bharat Electronic is not only ruling in aircrafts but also being the go-to indigenous company for naval electronic warfare systems, gun fire control systems, anti-submarine warfare fire control systems, other frontline patrol FCS, combat management system etc. The OFB is responsible for the indigenous gun mounts and some close-in-weapon systems. The Total Atmospheric Control System (TACS) is a system that protects the warship crew from chemical, biological and nuclear threats, and will keep the crew inside immune from explosive debris and radiation while the ship is going through a nuclear fallout region, by completely shutting off all the openings present in the ship. FlaktGroup was the first company to develop a completely indigenous TACS, which is built in the German company’s Noida facility, and is being installed in the ongoing CSL-GRSE Anti-Submarine Warfare corvettes and L&T Multi Purpose Vessels.
About 5000 items critical for a naval vessel have been indigenized so far according to Ministry of Defence. The indigenization roadmaps for the foreign-origin Indian ships mostly lie in the overhaul and retrofit segments. Similar roadmaps for Talwar class frigates, P-75 Scorpene class submarines, Deepak-class tankers etc. are already in place. The Indian Navy is implementing the “Roll-on Plan for 2023-26,” with its progress closely monitored by the Centre for Indigenization & Self Reliance (CISR) based in Coimbatore.
CISR operates two Indigenization Units (IUs): one in Visakhapatnam, responsible for the Eastern Naval Command and the Andaman and Nicobar Command, and another in Mumbai, which oversees the Western Naval Command. To assess the indigenous content of naval ships, three key categories are considered: Float (the hull and related fittings and components), Move (engines and complete propulsion systems), and Fight (sensor suites and weapon systems). As of October 2024, the indigenization progress stands at 90% for the Float category, 60% for Move, and 50% for Fight. As of September 2024, the Indian Navy has 66 ships currently on order, with 50 of them at various stages of construction, ranging from early fabrication to sea trials. Additionally, 12 ships are expected to be delivered within the next 12 months. These ships collectively represent a total tonnage of over 200,000 tons and are valued at ₹1.1 lakh crore (approximately US$13 billion).
The construction of these ships is taking place across six shipyards in India, while two ships are being built in Russia. Notably, these two Russian-built ships will be the last warships imported by the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy has set ambitious goals, aiming for a fleet of 155-160 warships by 2030 and a fleet of 175-200 warships by 2035. In the next 12 months, Indian Navy will be adding 10 more ships in the fleet as the Project 17A frigates and INS Surat of Project 15B destroyer fleet will be delivered. The entire ASW-SWC programme is going up at a good speed, with multiple being officially launched and all of the 15 ships will be delivered to the Navy by 2026. GRSE and GSL has started the the manufacturing of 8 Next General Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPV programme) while the Next Generation Corvette orders are in the pipeline. By the end of next decade, we might be able to see a repeat order of INS Vikrant and a CATOBAR carrier, for which the Navy is pushing for the Rafale-M finalization. If all things go as planned, the carriers will be flying upgraded MiG 29 UPGs, Rafale Ms and indigenous HAL TEDBF (Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter programme) in the near future.
