India's Defence Import Dependency Falls to 4% by 2025: A Leap Toward Self-Reliance
India has substantially decreased its dependency on foreign defense imports, reducing it from 11% in 2011 to a mere 4% by 2025, as reported by ANI. This significant reduction marks a pivotal achievement in India's pursuit of self-reliance, largely attributed to government initiatives such as "Make in India" and "Aatmanirbhar Bharat."
Since the 2014–15 fiscal year, India's domestic defense production has witnessed a substantial 174% increase, achieving a record high of ₹1.27 lakh crore ($16 billion) in the fiscal year 2023–24. During this time, the Ministry of Defence finalized 193 contracts valued at over ₹2.09 lakh crore, with an overwhelming 92% of these agreements awarded to Indian firms.
The profile of India's defense exports has also undergone a significant transformation. From minimal figures a decade ago, exports have surged 30-fold to reach ₹21,083 crore in 2023–24. Indian defense products are now being shipped to more than 100 countries, reflecting a growing international confidence in the nation's indigenous systems.
Key factors enabling this transformation include the introduction of the SRIJAN portal, which encourages industry involvement by highlighting import-replacement opportunities, and the Positive Indigenisation Lists, which currently include over 14,000 items designated for domestic manufacturing.
Looking forward, the government has set ambitious targets, aiming to increase defense production to ₹3 lakh crore and exports to ₹50,000 crore by 2029. Experts suggest that India is on the path to becoming a self-sufficient defense power and a competitive exporter on the global stage.
With strong policy reforms, increased participation from the private sector, and the development of defense corridors, India is poised to enter a new era characterized by strategic autonomy, technological innovation, and military-industrial strength.
