The Daily Brief Behind India’s changing Defence priorities
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May 22, 2025 Explore India's dramatic shift from relying on defense imports to cultivating a robust indigenous defense industry. Discover how this transition not only positions India for global arms exports but also emphasizes the importance of critical minerals like lithium and cobalt. Delve into the complexities of mineral supply chains and the innovative strategies emerging to tackle challenges. Finally, learn about the evolving battery technologies and market dynamics that could redefine the landscape of energy security in India.
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India’s Defense Export Surge
- India's defense exports have reached a record high of nearly 21,000 crore rupees in FY 2024.
- This marks a threefold increase in just three years, reflecting a major shift from being a major importer to exporter.
Government Controls Defense Market
- The defense industry depends almost entirely on government demand and approvals.
- Companies' success is tightly linked to government spending decisions, making this a unique and controlled market.
India's Soviet Arms Dependency
- After UK and US arms embargoes post-1965, India turned to the Soviet Union for advanced weapons, including MiG planes and submarines.
- This led to India becoming one of the world's largest arms importers with a domestic defense base mostly public sector.