Stories
India's 6.7 Lakh Crore Mega-Plan: Discarding Foreign Arms for Self-Reliant Security Chakravyuh.
- •India has prioritized self-reliance in defense, moving beyond 'Make in India' to 'Owned by India' by ensuring indigenous technology and intellectual property.
- •75% of the defense budget is now reserved for domestic companies, including the private sector, with streamlined procurement processes and reduced red tape.
- •Startups and research are directly linked to military procurement through iDeX and Technology Development Fund, accelerating the induction of new technologies.
- •The army has formed new combat units like the 'Rudra All Arms Brigade' and 'Bhairav Light Commando Battalions,' while also significantly boosting drone technology.
- •Operation Sindoor showcased India's military might, with the Navy's aggressive deployment and an S-400 missile downing a Pakistani aircraft 314 km away.
Key Questions Answered
The 2026 draft defense procurement framework implements a spiral acquisition policy to induct technology in phases. Additionally, the government increased the domestic procurement budget from 58 percent to 75 percent, reserving a quarter of it for private companies, and streamlined rules to eliminate bureaucratic delays.
During the last financial year, the Defense Acquisition Council greenlit 55 major proposals worth approximately 6.73 lakh crore rupees. These proposals include the QRSAM missile system, modern Netra reconnaissance aircraft, 97 new Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft, and Rafale Marine jets for the Navy.
Under July 2025 orders, an Independent Armored Brigade and Mountain Brigade were combined into the Rudra All Arms Brigade, while Bhairav Light Commando Battalions were established to counter hybrid warfare. Furthermore, special Ashni Drone Platoons are being deployed inside each infantry battalion for round-the-clock aerial surveillance.
