65% of defence gear made in India; the Russian army uses 'Made in Bihar' boots

India's defence production has reached a record Rs. 1,27,000 crore (US$ 14.80 billion) in FY24, marking significant progress under the Make in India initiative, according to the Ministry of Defence. Currently, 65% of India's defence equipment is manufactured domestically, a notable shift from the previous 65-70% import dependency, showcasing India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing. India’s defence exports include bulletproof jackets, Dornier (Do-228) aircraft, Chetak helicopters, fast interceptor boats, and lightweight torpedoes. Notably, boots manufactured in Bihar are now part of the Russian Army’s gear, highlighting India’s global manufacturing standards. 

India aims to achieve Rs. 3,00,000 crore (US$ 34.88 billion) in defence production by 2029, reinforcing its position as a global defence manufacturing hub. Key indigenously developed military assets include the Dhanush Artillery Gun System, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Main Battle Tank Arjun, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Akash Missile System, and Indigenous Aircraft Carriers. The defence sector’s foreign direct investment (FDI) policy, revised in September 2020, allows up to 74% FDI via the automatic route and beyond 74% through government approval. Since April 2000, total FDI in defence industries has reached Rs. 5,516.16 crore (US$ 643.1 million). The defence budget has surged from Rs. 2,53,000 crore (US$ 29.43 billion) in FY14 to Rs. 6,81,000 crore (US$ 79.24 billion) in FY26, underscoring India’s commitment to self-reliance and military modernisation. 

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.