India, Nov. 16 -- India's ambition to reduce its reliance on foreign weaponry has entered its most assertive phase in decades. The government points to unmistakable shifts: rising defence exports, new private-sector entrants, the restructuring of legacy ordnance factories, and procurement rules that place domestic industry at the centre. Official figures show defence production rising from around Rs 79,000 crore in 2019-20 to a record Rs 1.5 lakh crore in 2024-25, while exports have crossed Rs 21,000 crore and continue to climb.

Alongside this expansion, the share of the capital procurement budget earmarked for the domestic industry has been pushed to unprecedented levels. From 40% earmarked for local purchases in 2020-21, the Ministry o...