The Quest for Strategic Autonomy: Indigenisation of Bharat's Defence Industry

 

Strategic Bookshelf

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The Quest for Strategic Autonomy: Indigenisation of Bharat's Defence Industry

Editors: Kuldeep Verma and Divya Dwivedi Publisher: Routledge India (Taylor and Francis) Edition: First Edition, 2025 Format: Hardcover and E-book Series: Routledge India Handbooks

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About the Editors

Kuldeep Verma is Assistant Professor in the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies at Hindu College, Moradabad. He holds a doctorate on narco-terrorism from the University of Allahabad and has research expertise in security studies, defence policy, and emerging strategic threats.

Divya Dwivedi is Assistant Professor and former Head of the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies at Prof. Rajendra Singh State University, Prayagraj. She holds a PhD from the University of Allahabad and works on defence policy, strategic affairs, and the institutional dimensions of national security.

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What the Book Is About

This edited volume examines Bharat's pursuit of self-reliance in defence production as a central pillar of its broader strategic autonomy. The book situates indigenisation not merely as an economic or technological project but as a deeply political and strategic necessity tied to Bharat's ability to act independently in global affairs.

At its core, the volume explores how Bharat seeks to reduce dependence on foreign arms suppliers whilst building a robust domestic defence industrial base. It brings together contributions from scholars, practitioners, and policy experts to analyse the intersections of policy frameworks, technological innovation, economic constraints, and geopolitical imperatives shaping this transition.

The central argument is clear: in the 21st century, strategic autonomy is inseparable from technological and industrial sovereignty. Without a strong indigenous defence ecosystem, Bharat's foreign policy flexibility, military preparedness, and global standing remain structurally constrained.

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What the Book Covers

Policy Frameworks and Reform Initiatives: The book examines key defence policy instruments including the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020, reforms in defence management, and institutional restructuring aimed at promoting self-reliance and global competitiveness.

Defence Industry Ecosystem: It analyses the evolving roles of public sector undertakings, private industry, and start-ups in shaping Bharat's indigenous defence model, tracing the shift from state dominance towards a more mixed and innovation-driven ecosystem.

Technology and Emerging Domains: Chapters explore artificial intelligence, space technology, and advanced systems in transforming Bharat's defence capabilities, underscoring the importance of technological modernisation in achieving genuine autonomy.

Defence Exports and Geopolitics: The volume connects indigenisation with Bharat's ambitions as a defence exporter, examining how arms exports contribute to strategic partnerships, influence-building, and geopolitical leverage.

Case Studies of Key Institutions: Detailed studies on DRDO, HAL, and BrahMos Aerospace provide grounded insights into the successes, limitations, and future trajectories of Bharat's defence production ecosystem.

Private Sector and the Start-up Revolution: The volume highlights the increasing role of defence start-ups and private firms in driving innovation, aligning with the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

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Why This Book Matters

This volume addresses one of the most pressing questions in Bharat's strategic discourse: can genuine strategic autonomy be achieved without defence industrial self-reliance? The answer, argued carefully across its chapters, is no.

Reliance on foreign suppliers not only limits operational readiness. It constrains diplomatic choices and narrows strategic independence at precisely the moments when both are most needed. By analysing both the opportunities and the bottlenecks in Bharat's indigenisation journey, the book offers a practical map for bridging the gap.

For scholars and students of international relations and security studies, it provides a nuanced understanding of how domestic industrial capacity intersects with global power politics. For policymakers, it offers actionable insights into the reforms, innovation pathways, and institutional changes needed to strengthen Bharat's defence ecosystem.

This is a timely and policy-relevant contribution. It reframes indigenisation not as a developmental aspiration but as the structural foundation of Bharat's long-term strategic autonomy in an increasingly competitive and technologically driven world order.