DRDO

By R Anil Kumar

Bengaluru. India is pursuing ambitious goals to bolster its defence sector through increased self-reliance and domestic manufacturing. With targets to triple defence production and double exports by 2028-29, the roadmap explores strategic measures necessary for success.

As India aims to bolster its defence sector with increased self-reliance and domestic manufacturing, the nation’s roadmap for achieving its defence production and export goals is both bold and transformative.

With a goal to nearly triple annual defence production to Rs 3 lakh crore by 2028-29 and more than double exports to Rs 50,000 crore, the stakes are high.

Ambitious Targets and Strategic Shifts

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr. Samir V. Kamat emphasized the Ministry of Defence’s goal of significantly increasing defence exports.

“Defence exports had touched a record Rs 21,083 crore in FY24. It was historic. Our target will be to export over Rs 50,000 crore worth of defence equipment by FY2029-30,”The DRDO Chairman stated,Speaking to the Media, on the sidelines of15th edition of BiennialAero-India International Seminar in Bengaluru,reiterating about the ambitious target set earlier.

“The target is very realistic. Every target is likely to face execution bottlenecks, but we are confident of achieving this target, Dr. Kamat said.

When questioned about Countries showing keenness to procure India’s defence products and equipments,Dr. Kamat said there has seen growing interest from countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Armenia for advanced Indian-manufactured weapons such as BrahMos missiles and Tejas aircraft, and it is going to expand to other countries from South America, South and South East Asia, in the coming years, Dr Kamat Said, and added that these exports are expected to enhance India’s geopolitical strategy in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Investment in Innovation and Private Sector

The Indian government is promoting innovation by supporting young entrepreneurs and startups in the defence sector. Policy changes, such as liberalizing procurement processes for startups and easing payment terms, reflect this commitment.

The private sector plays a crucial role in this transformation, said Dr. K. Rajalakshmi Menon, DS and DG AERO, DRDO.

“The private sector has been taking on the lion’s share of defence production and capacity building for almost a decade. The private sector expects to cover over 50% of India’s defence production over the next decade, added Dr. B K Das, DS & DG, ECS, DRDO.

“Countries seeking cutting-edge Indian-manufactured weapons like the BrahMos missiles, Pinaka multiple rocket launchers, and Akash anti-aircraft missiles will contribute to skyrocketing exports in thenext five years,” they stated.

Focus on Indigenous Defence Capabilities

The shift towards self-reliance involves boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing dependency on foreign suppliers. The government aims to allocate 75% of the capital acquisition budget for procurement from local sources. Initiatives like the Defence Industrial Corridors and positive indigenization lists are part of this strategy, said Dr. Chandrika Kaushik, DG (PC & SI) DRDO.

Future investments in capital expenditure and R&D are expected to enhance India’s defence capabilities and strategic positioning. The goal to nearly triple annual defence production and more than double exports by FY29 reflects a strong commitment to building a self-reliant and technologically advanced defence sector, Dr. Kaushik said.

“Our goal is to pioneer advanced technologies that offer strategic advantages.” “This approach prioritizes innovation over conventional self-sufficiency,” added Prasad APVS, Chief Executive (Airworthiness), CEMLAC, DRDO.

Looking ahead, India’s defence strategy includes major projects and advancements including the hypersonic cruise missile technology. The various  projects which are in progress are crucial for enhancing India’s defence capabilities and ensuring preparedness against evolving threats.

India’s defence sector is poised for transformative growth, driven by increased budget allocations, strategic reforms, and a strong emphasis on indigenous development and exports.

As the nation navigates complex geopolitical landscapes, achieving these ambitious targets will be essential in reinforcing India’s position as a key player in global defence dynamics.

15th edition of Biennial Aero-India 2025, International Seminar begins in Bengaluru

The 15^th edition of the Biennial Aero-India International Seminar commenced in Bengaluru, Karnataka on February 08, 2025. The two-day seminar has been organised by the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC) of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in association with the Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) as a prelude to Aero India 2025, which will be held in Bengaluru from February 10 to 14, 2025.

The seminar is a premier event in the global aerospace arena. The theme this year is ‘Futuristic Aerospace Technologies: Challenges in Design Validation’, highlighting discussions and deliberations on Emerging Trends in Futuristic Aerospace Technologies and Military Airworthiness & Certification: Challenges in Design and Testing.

International delegates attending the event are from prominent foreign companies like Airbus Defence and Space from Spain; Collins Aerospace, GE Aerospace, Martin-Baker, MBDA and Rolls-Royce from UK, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems from Israel, and SAFRAN France. Indian Industry participating in the seminar includes Abeyaantrix Solutions, Ansys Inc., Globals Inc., JSR Dynamics Pvt. Ltd, RAPHE mPhibr, and TAQBit Labs Private Limited.

The seminar offers a platform to explore collaborative research opportunities and forge strategic partnerships, advancing the future of aerospace and defence technologies. A total of 12 technical sessions covering various topics on Challenges in Design Validation on Futuristic Aerospace Technologies are scheduled. The seminar on ‘Futuristic Aerospace Technologies: Challenges in Design Validation’ focuses on various topics such as Cutting-Edge Technologies for System Design and Validation, Innovative Approaches for Airworthiness & Certification, Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to enhance Future of Aviation, Pioneering Advancements in Electronics and Sensing Technology, Global Insights into Next–Gen Propulsion Systems, Emerging Trends in Military Aviation, Innovations driving Human Missions beyond Earth.

Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman ISRO Dr V Narayanan was the Chief Guest of the event, while Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat was the Guest of Honour. President, AeSI Dr G Satheesh Reddy was also present on the occasion. About 1,100 delegates are participating from DRDO, Defence PSUs, Armed Forces and Private Industries, including MSMEs. Further, 33 speakers from both India and abroad will deliver technical talks on a range of topics in the domain.