What Happened
- Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, speaking at the Raisina Dialogue during a panel on "Forgers of Peace: Ordnance Factories for the Liberal Order," stated that amid global conflicts, countries must build their own industrial complex and carry out technology upgrades while production is ongoing
- He emphasised the need for "rapid adaptation," noting that "technology today is changing at the speed of thought" and "we have to upgrade while producing"
- The Admiral stated that the Indian Navy would take Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) "to the component level," extending indigenisation beyond platforms to every component and system
- He highlighted the synergy between the armed forces, industry, and academia as essential for the Navy's indigenisation drive
- Admiral Tripathi is the 26th Chief of the Naval Staff, having assumed command on 30 April 2024
Static Topic Bridges
Atmanirbhar Bharat and Defence Indigenisation
The Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, launched in 2020, has made defence indigenisation a priority sector. The Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) aims to achieve a defence manufacturing turnover of Rs 1.75 lakh crore. Five Positive Indigenisation Lists (PILs) have been notified, encompassing 4,666 items, which mandate that listed items must be procured exclusively from domestic manufacturers -- either Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) or private sector companies. The value of defence production has risen to a record Rs 1,27,265 crore, representing a 174% increase from Rs 46,429 crore in 2014-15.
- The Ministry of Defence has earmarked 75% of its modernisation budget (Rs 1,11,544 crore) for procurement through domestic industries under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020
- India now targets tripling defence production by 2028-29 and doubling exports to Rs 50,000 crore
- Historically, India imported 65-70% of its defence equipment; this has shifted to approximately 65% being manufactured domestically
- Key indigenised platforms include the LCA Tejas, INS Vikrant (indigenous aircraft carrier), Arjun MBT, BrahMos missiles, and the nuclear-powered submarine programme
Connection to this news: The Navy Chief's call for component-level indigenisation represents an evolution of the Atmanirbhar Bharat defence policy -- moving from platform-level self-reliance to supply-chain-deep indigenisation that reduces dependence on foreign sub-systems.
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and Defence Startups
iDEX was launched in 2018 to foster innovation and technology development in the defence and aerospace sectors by engaging startups, innovators, MSMEs, and individual inventors. It operates through the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) and works with partner incubators to provide grants and support for prototype development. The Ministry of Defence has cleared procurement of 43 items worth over Rs 2,400 crore from iDEX startups and MSMEs as of February 2025.
- The SRIJAN (Self-Reliance through Joint Aspiration and iNnovation) portal lists imported items for indigenisation by domestic manufacturers; over 38,000 items are listed, with 14,000+ successfully indigenised
- The Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme supports MSMEs and startups for developing defence technologies
- Make-I and Make-II categories under DAP 2020 encourage prototype development by the private sector (Make-I is government-funded, Make-II is industry-funded)
- The Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) helps set up testing facilities for defence equipment
Connection to this news: The Admiral's emphasis on technology upgrades "while producing" aligns with the iDEX model of continuous innovation through partnerships between the armed forces, startups, and academia, enabling incremental technology insertion in existing platforms.
Maritime Security and Naval Modernisation
India's maritime security doctrine recognises the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as the primary area of strategic interest. The Indian Navy operates under the concept of "SAGAR" (Security and Growth for All in the Region), articulated in 2015, and the Indian Maritime Security Strategy ("Ensuring Secure Seas," 2015). Naval modernisation involves both platform acquisition and capability upgrades in areas such as submarine warfare, carrier operations, mine countermeasures, and unmanned systems.
- India's naval fleet includes approximately 130 warships, with plans to expand to 170-175 by 2035
- Project 75 (Scorpene-class submarines) and Project 75(I) (six conventional submarines with AIP technology) are key acquisition programmes
- INS Vikrant, India's first indigenously built aircraft carrier, was commissioned in September 2022
- The Navy's Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) at Gurugram enhances maritime domain awareness through partnerships with 22+ countries
- The 2023 Indian Navy doctrine emphasises multi-domain operations including cyber, space, and electronic warfare
Connection to this news: The Navy Chief's remarks on building industrial complexes and rapid adaptation reflect the urgency of modernising naval capabilities in a geopolitical environment where the Indian Ocean is increasingly contested, and where technological superiority depends on indigenous capacity.
Key Facts & Data
- Defence production value: Rs 1,27,265 crore (record high, up 174% from 2014-15)
- 75% of MoD modernisation budget earmarked for domestic procurement
- 5 Positive Indigenisation Lists: 4,666 items, 3,000+ indigenised
- iDEX: 43 items worth Rs 2,400+ crore cleared from startups/MSMEs
- SRIJAN portal: 38,000+ items listed, 14,000+ indigenised
- Indian Navy target: expand from ~130 to 170-175 warships by 2035
- Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi: 26th Chief of the Naval Staff (since 30 April 2024)