India has emerged among the top 25 defense exporters globally.
India now exports a wide range of major platforms, including aircraft like the Dornier-228, artillery guns, BrahMos missiles, PINAKA rockets and launchers, radars, simulators, and armored vehicles, with rising global demand for indigenous products such as the LCA-Tejas, Light Combat Helicopters, aircraft carriers, and MRO activities.
Various schemes, such as Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), Technology Development Fund (TDF), and the Make procedure under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, have been launched to encourage MSMEs and start-ups.
The DAP 2020 includes special provisions to support them, and the Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) Order, 2012, provides price preferences to MSME bidders under certain conditions.
Additionally, DPSUs and services have uploaded over 30,000 defense items on the ‘Srijan Portal for Indigenization,’ inviting MSMEs to partner in the indigenization process.
Fostering Gender Equity
The government has taken significant steps to increase the percentage of women officers and other ranks in the armed forces.
With a gender-neutral approach, women officers are being inducted into all branches and streams of the Indian Air Force.
The first batch of women cadets started training at the NDA in July 2022.
New Frontiers of Warfare
The contemporary battlefield has undergone a sea change, with space warfare being added to the existing domains of land, water, air, and cyber warfare.
A Defence Space Research Agency (DSRA) has been set up to facilitate the development of space-based weapons.
Promoting Indigenization
The government has taken several policy initiatives to spur the indigenous design, development, and manufacture of defence equipment.
Procurement of capital items from domestic sources under Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.
Announcement of 18 major defence platforms for industry-led design and development in March 2022.
The FDI policy now allows 74% FDI under the automatic route, and the ‘Make Procedure’ has been simplified.
The Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme involving start-ups and MSMEs has been launched to promote innovation.
An indigenization portal, SRIJAN, has been launched to facilitate the indigenization of Indian industry, including MSMEs.
Chief of Defence Staff
The post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was created in 2019. The CDS acts as the Principal Military Adviser to the Defence Minister on all tri-services matters.
As the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, the CDS is supported by the Headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff in performing assigned functions.
The Department of Military Affairs is headed by the Chief of Defence Staff, who holds the rank of a four-star General, with salary and perquisites at par with a Service Chief.
Controller General of Defence Accounts
The Defence Accounts Department (DAD) functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence and is headed by the Controller General of Defence Accounts.
The department’s mandate includes audit, financial advice, payment, and accounting of all charges pertaining to the Armed Forces, including bills for supplies and services rendered, construction and repair works, pay and allowances, pensions, etc.
Border Roads Organisation
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was established on 7 May 1960 to secure India’s borders and develop infrastructure in remote areas of the North and North-Eastern states.
Indian Coast Guard
In the 1970s, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) awarded Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) to all coastal states.
The government subsequently enacted the Maritime Zones of India Act, 1976, and acquired sovereign rights over 2.01 million sq. km area as the EEZ.
Directorate of Public Relations
The Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) is the publicity wing of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), responsible for disseminating information to the media and the public about important events, programmes, achievements, and policy decisions of the ministry.
Transformation of Defence Services
The Kargil Review Committee report and the subsequent Group of Ministers’ recommendations highlighted the need for the Ministry of Defence to be restructured and strengthened through changes in structures, processes, and procedures.
Integrated Theatre Commands: A comprehensive action plan includes study and a roadmap for the implementation of Theatre Commands by nominated Commanders-in-Chief, in a time-bound manner, has been implemented.
Creation of Tri-services Agencies
The Armed Forces Special Operations Division ensures effective joint planning, development, and employment of Special Forces across land, air, and maritime domains.
The Defence Space Agency acts as the nodal agency for all three Services' defence-relate space activities.
The Defdence Cyber Agency, created in 2018, deals with defence-related cyber activities.
Contribution to UN Peacekeeping
India has a rich legacy of contributing to UN peacekeeping operations and is one of the largest troop contributors.
India has contributed around 275,000 troops to peacekeeping missions, with approximately 5,900 troops deployed in 12 UN Missions.
Recognising the need for women peacekeepers in conflict zones under the UN mandate, India has deployed Female Engagement Teams (FETs) in MONUSCO and UNISFA, making it the second-largest women contingent after Liberia.
Operation Sadbhavna
Projects like Operation Sadbhavna are being undertaken in the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, as well as in the Northeastern states, to address the basic needs of the local population, especially in rural and remote areas.
The focus of Operation Sadbhavna is to improve core social indices, such as education, women and youth empowerment, and healthcare, while simultaneously emphasising capacity building through community and infrastructure development projects.
Operation Sankalp of Indian Navy
‘Operation Sankalp’ commenced in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman in 2019 to protect Indian Flag Merchant Vessels (IFMVs) and ensure their safe passage through the region and the Strait of Hormuz.
Relief During COVID-19 by Indian Navy
To support the fight against the pandemic, as part of Operation Samudra Setu, Indian naval ships were deployed to transport liquid medical oxygen-filled cryogenic containers and other associated medical supplies.
Launched in 2020, Operation Samudra Setu successfully repatriated around 4,000 Indian citizens stranded in neighbouring countries amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
INS Vikrant
The Indian Navy has inducted the new aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, dedicated to the nation in September 2022, by the Prime Minister. It is the first aircraft carrier built in India and is named Vikrant as a tribute to India’s first aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant (1961).
