Transformation of India’s Security Posture

India’s defence and internal security have undergone a paradigm shift under the last decade, marked by higher defence capacity, self-reliance, and decisive responses to terrorism.

Strengthening Defence Capacity

• Rising Defence Expenditure: Increased from ?2.53 lakh crore (2013–14) to ?6.81 lakh crore (2025–26).
• Domestic Production Boom: Defence production touched ?1.50 lakh crore (2024–25), over 3x growth since 2014–15.
• Exports Surge: Defence exports rose 34-fold, reaching ?23,622 crore in 2024–25. Exports now to 100+ nations.
• Key Manufacturing Gains: Fighter jets, missile systems, warships, carriers manufactured domestically.

Self-Reliance in Defence (Atmanirbharta)

• Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020
  • PrioritisesBuy (Indian–IDDM) ? indigenous design, development & manufacture.
  • Indigenisation central to procurement.
• ‘Make’ Procedure Reforms
  • Make-I: 70% govt. funding up to ?250 crore.
  • Make-II: Industry-funded with assured orders.
  • Make-III: Indian manufacturing with ToT/collaboration.
  • 146 projects already approved.
• Liberalised FDI
  • 74% via automatic route, 100% govt. approval for advanced technology.
• Innovation Push
  • iDEX (2018) – support to start-ups/MSMEs.
  • TDF – grants up to ?10 crore for defence technology.
• Indigenisation Portals & Positive Lists
  • SRIJAN Portal (2020) – 46,798 items indigenised.
  • Positive Lists (5 tranches) – 5,012 items progressively banned for import.
• Offsets & Strategic Partnerships
  • Offset Portal (2019) ? transparency, OEM investments.
  • SP Model (2017) ? Indian-global OEM collaborations.

Adoption of Technology & AI

• Defence AI Council (DAIC) and DAIPA to drive AI integration.
• DRDO: 9 thrust areas ? platforms, weapons, cyber, robotics, space, soldier support.
• DPSUs mandated AI roadmaps.

Responding to Cross-Border Terrorism

• Decisive Operations
  • Uri (2016): Surgical strikes across LoC.
  • Pulwama (2019): Balakot air strikes.
  • Operation Sindoor (2025): Drone & precision strikes on 9 camps in PoK, eliminating >100 terrorists.
• Prime Ministers Five “New Normals” on Pakistan
  • Firm response to terror.
  • No tolerance for nuclear blackmail.
  • Terrorists & sponsors equally accountable.
  • Talks only on terrorism/PoK.
  • Zero compromise on sovereignty.
• Sudarshan Chakra Mission (2025)
  • Futuristic programme: indigenous R&D, predictive technologies, precision counter-systems.
  • Target:Comprehensive national security shield by 2035.

Securing Internal Fronts

• Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)
  • Affected districts reduced to <20.
  • Naxal violence incidents dropped from 1,936 (2010) ? 374 (2024).
  • Casualties down by 85%.
  • 8,000 extremists surrendered in last decade.
  • Focus: security + governance + development (roads, welfare, education).
• Atmanirbharta Beyond Defence
  • Financial Inclusion: FI-Index 2025 at 67.0; PMJDY 56 crore accounts; ?2.64 lakh crore balance.
  • Food Security: Grain output 354 MT (2024–25). PM-KISAN disbursed ?3.9 lakh crore.
  • Dairy Sector: Milk output ?64% since 2014.
  • Technology: Semiconductor Mission 2021 ? 10 projects, first 3nm chip centres operational.
  • Blue Revolution: Fish production doubled (96 ? 195 lakh tonnes).

Challenges:

• Balancing indigenisation with operational readiness (delays in domestic projects).
• Need for sustained private sector participation.
• Emerging threats: cyber, space, hybrid warfare.
• Regional instability (Pakistan & China) still a major concern.

Way Forward:

• Deepen R&D collaboration with private sector & academia.
• Strengthen cybersecurity & space capabilities.
• Expand defence exports for strategic influence.
• Consolidate gains against LWE through governance-led development.
• Maintain balance between strategic autonomy and global defence partnerships.