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India Gazette
2 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
India has redefined its defence capabilities with emphasis on self-reliance
New Delhi [India], June 19 (ANI): India has emerged as a formidable global leader over the past 11 years, driven by bold initiatives that fuse ambition with action, with the country making significant strides in indigenizing its defence sector, with defence exports witnessing a multifold increase over the past 11 years. India achieved its highest-ever defence production in Financial Year 2023-24, with the total value touching Rs 1,27,434 crore. This marks a 174 per cent rise from Rs 46,429 crore in 2014-15, according to an official statement from the government. Indigenous platforms such as the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Arjun tank, Akash missile system, ALH Dhruv helicopter, and several naval vessels have all contributed to this success. The growth has been powered by focused policies and a strong push for Atmanirbharta, or self-reliance. In FY 2024-25, India recorded defence exports worth Rs 23,622 crore, up from Rs 686 crore in FY 2013-14. The private sector contributed Rs 15,233 crore, while DPSUs accounted for Rs 8,389 crore, a 42.85 percent jump from the previous year. Over 1,700 export authorisations were granted in the same year. India now exports a diverse range of products such as bulletproof jackets, helicopters, torpedoes, and patrol boats. The USA, France, and Armenia were the top buyers in 2023-24. With the goal of reaching Rs 50,000 crore in exports by 2029, India is firmly positioning itself as a global hub for defence manufacturing. The government has issued five Positive Indigenisation Lists that limit imports and encourage local manufacturing. Over 5,500 items are covered under these lists, of which 3,000 had been indigenised by February 2025. The lists include everything from basic components to advanced systems like radars, rockets, artillery, and light helicopters. This structured push has ensured that critical capabilities are now being built within the country. Two dedicated Defence Industrial Corridors have been established in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. These corridors have attracted investments worth over Rs 8,658 crore and signed 253 memoranda of understanding (MoU) with an estimated investment potential of Rs 53,439 crore as of February 2025. Spread across 11 nodes in both states, these hubs are providing the infrastructure and incentives needed to turn India into a defence manufacturing powerhouse. The Ministry of Defence also signed 193 contracts worth Rs 2,09,050 crore in 2024-25 -- the highest ever in a single year. Of these, 177 contracts were awarded to the domestic industry, amounting to Rs 1,68,922 crore. This shows a clear shift towards prioritising Indian manufacturers and strengthening the defence ecosystem within the country. The focus on indigenous procurement has also boosted job creation and technological advancement. Launched in April 2018, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) has fostered a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and technology development in the defence and aerospace sectors. By engaging MSMEs, startups, individual innovators, R&D institutes, and academia, iDEX has provided grants of up to Rs 1.5 crore to support the development of cutting-edge technologies. Strengthening its impact, the Armed Forces have procured 43 items worth over Rs 2,400 crore from iDEX-supported startups and MSMEs, reflecting growing trust in indigenous innovation for defence preparedness. To further enhance self-reliance in defence technology, Rs 449.62 crore has been allocated to iDEX, including its sub-scheme Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI), for 2025-26. As of February 2025, 549 problem statements have been opened, involving 619 startups and MSMEs, with 430 iDEX contracts signed. India's maritime strategy centres on vigilance, quick response and active regional engagement. With a long coastline and key shipping routes to protect, the Indian Navy plays a vital role in safeguarding national and economic interests. Guided by the Prime Minister's vision of MAHASAGAR, India promotes cooperation and stability across oceans. Over the past year, in response to piracy and rising threats in the Western Arabian Sea, the Navy deployed over 35 ships, conducted more than 1,000 boarding operations and responded to 30-plus incidents. These efforts saved over 520 lives and ensured safe passage for 312 merchant vessels carrying cargo worth more than 5.3 billion US dollars. India's commitment extends beyond defence. It remains a reliable first responder in the Indian Ocean Region for humanitarian and disaster relief missions. In September 2024, India launched Operation Sadbhav to support Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar after Typhoon Yagi. In April 2025, it hosted the 'Africa India Key Maritime Engagement' (AIKEYME) exercise with ten African nations, strengthening maritime ties and shared responses to regional challenges. India's maritime outlook balances strong naval presence with inclusive diplomacy, shaping a secure and cooperative Indo-Pacific, the statement said. (ANI)
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First Post
28-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
Why Karnataka has raised hell over Andhra CM Naidu's HAL pitch
Karnataka has strongly responded to Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu's reported bid to the Centre to expand HAL's operations to his state. The aerospace and defence company has major production facilities in Karnataka's Bengaluru and Tumakuru. Here's what is going on and why the two states are fighting read more Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is said to have proposed setting up HAL facilities in his state. File Photo/PTI A row has erupted between Karnataka and the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh over the state-run defence firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Karnataka has raised objections to reports of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's alleged bid to expand HAL's operations to his state. HAL, India's flagship aerospace and defence company, has major production facilities in Karnataka's Bengaluru and Tumakuru. Now, Andhra Pradesh is reportedly seeking diversion of HAL's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) production from Bengaluru to Andhra Pradesh. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Let's take a closer look. Andhra CM's HAL pitch Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu has reportedly approached the Centre for setting up HAL's units in his state. The request is said to have been made by Naidu to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during last week's NITI Aayog meeting. Naidu called for establishing a new greenfield HAL facility in Andhra Pradesh during his interaction with the Central government, including meetings with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, as per a NDTV report. The proposal is to house upcoming manufacturing capacity for the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and other domestic platforms. As per reports, Naidu has offered 10,000 acres of land at the Lepakshi-Madakashira region, just 140 km from the Bangalore international airport. During a meeting with the defence minister on Friday, Naidu said Bengaluru was saturated for HAL projects, as per Economic Times (ET). 'Defence units like these need setbacks as well, which is possible here in Andhra Pradesh and may be tough in Karnataka,' a top source present at the meeting with the defence minister told NDTV. The proposal is said to be a part of Naidu's broader vision to develop a major defence industrial corridor in AP to increase the state's contribution to India's defence manufacturing sector. Karnataka raises hell over HAL The Congress-led Karnataka government has condemned the reports of Naidu allegedly seeking the relocation of the HAL facility to Andhra. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has dismissed the possibility of shifting HAL to Andhra Pradesh. 'I do not know, as far as my knowledge goes, it cannot be. It will not be shifted,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rebuking the Andhra CM's reported proposal, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar asserted the Siddaramaiah-led government will not allow the shifting of any facility operating in the state. 'I don't want to comment on whatever they demand. But Karnataka will not allow what has been functioning here to be shifted. I want Parliament members and my Central ministers who are there to react to this. But as a government, we will not allow anything to be shifted,' he said. Shivakumar also pointed out that Karnataka has allotted land in Tumakuru for HAL's helicopter division. 'Karnataka contributes 65 per cent of India's defence production and ranks 3rd globally in aerospace ecosystem strength. Our government will do whatever it takes to protect state's assets,' he wrote on X. Karnataka will not allow HAL to be shifted out of Bengaluru. HAL is not just an enterprise - it is a national asset, a symbol of self-reliance, and the proud legacy of Pandit Nehru and Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV. -Land has already been allotted in Tumakuru for HAL's helicopter… — DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) May 27, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Karnataka deputy CM said the Centre can establish 'anything new' in Andhra Pradesh, to which Karnataka would not object. Karnataka Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development, Sharan Prakash Patil, also waded into the dispute. 'HAL is the pride of our state. We will not allow its relocation to Andhra Pradesh. This institution was not founded by the BJP. The Congress government brought it here. If there is any attempt to move it, BJP MPs from Karnataka must act. Otherwise, they are betraying the state,' he said. Patil to meet defence minister As the row over HAL gains momentum, Karnataka Industries & Infrastructure Minister MB Patil said Monday (May 26) that he will meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to save HAL's investments in the state. 'I will also request Union ministers from Karnataka, Nirmala Sitharaman, Pralhad Joshi, HD Kumaraswamy, V Somanna and Shobha Karandlaje to join me in my meeting with the defence minister. We will do our best to protect Karnataka's interests in defence projects,' he told ET. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Naidu knows the system very well. There is nothing wrong in his demanding new units or those under expansion but cannot ask for diversion of existing ones in Karnataka…,' Patil said, adding, 'Who said we don't have land? We have already given land to HAL in Tumakuru and would consider more if it wants.' Patil told ET that Karnataka would also push for a defence manufacturing corridor during the talks with the defence minister and other ministers. In a post on X, Patil described Naidu's proposal as 'highly inappropriate', saying it was against the spirit of inter-state cooperation. 'Karnataka is home to HAL. Relocating the existing facility is not acceptable.' Karnataka is Home to HAL - Relocating the Existing Facility is not acceptable Will meet Shri @rajnathsingh to seek Defence Corridor for #Karnataka Media reports suggest that the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Chandrababu Naidu, has requested the Central Government to… — M B Patil (@MBPatil) May 27, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Andhra Pradesh chief minister's office has claimed they did not pitch for shifting any existing facility, reported NDTV. The controversy comes as HAL aims to boost defence production capacity to meet a surge in demand. Three units have been set up to manufacture Light Combat Aircraft — two in Bengaluru and one in Maharashtra's Nashik. HAL has also joined hands with private firms, including Tata and L&T, to increase production capacity. With inputs from agencies
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Business Standard
27-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
HAL, private firms to compete for Amca prototype contract: Defence ministry
In a move that could end state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL's) monopoly in building fighter jets, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday said the country's private and public defence companies would get equal opportunity and compete to develop the prototype of the indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, dubbed the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (Amca). This follows the execution model approved for the Amca programme by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday. The programme will be implemented by design agency Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) through industry partnership. Describing the approval of the execution model as a significant push towards enhancing the country's indigenous defence capabilities and fostering a robust aerospace industrial ecosystem, the MoD said the approach would provide 'equal opportunities to the private and public sectors on a competitive basis'. Private and public defence players can bid to participate in the Amca development programme independently, as a joint venture (JV), or as consortia. The bidders should be Indian companies compliant with the laws and regulations of the country, the ministry added. 'This is an important step towards harnessing indigenous expertise, capability, and capacity to develop the Amca prototype, which will be a major milestone towards aatmanirbharta in the aerospace sector,' said the MoD. The ADA will shortly issue an expression of interest for the development phase of the fifth-generation, medium-weight fighter aircraft, which has been designed to perform both air-to-air and air-to-surface combat, it added. The first flight of the Amca prototype is expected by end-2028, a defence source told Business Standard. This execution model marks a shift from longstanding convention, under which HAL was the default domestic production agency for combat aircraft, making it the only Indian entity to manufacture such platforms in the country so far, according to a defence industry insider who did not wish to be named. 'Now, it will have to bid alongside private firms to secure the contract. This will foster competition and offer private players a unique opportunity,' the person said, adding private defence majors like Kalyani Group, Larsen & Toubro, the Tata group, and Adani Group would be interested in securing the contract to build the prototype. 'Even if the winning entity is a JV or consortium involving HAL and one or more private players, the latter will play a far larger role in building combat aircraft than they have before,' explained the source quoted earlier. So far, private players have only built components and parts for programmes like the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas in a tieup with HAL. In March, contracts for 156 Prachand light combat helicopters were awarded to HAL, in the largest order ever secured by the Bengaluru-based public-sector aerospace and defence firm until then. The Rs 62,700 crore (excluding taxes) deal alone accounted for about 37 per cent of the Rs 1.69 trillion worth of contracts awarded by the MoD to the domestic industry in 2024-25. 'If the private sector secures the contract to build the Amca prototype, it could open the door to contracts matching the scale of those so far awarded only to public-sector entities like HAL,' said another industry source who did not wish to be named. In February, the HAL leadership indicated that the company's order book was expected to reach Rs 2.5 trillion in 2025-26. The timely induction of the twin-engine Amca has become crucial, with China expanding its arsenal of operational fifth-generation stealth fighters and making visible progress in developing even stealthier sixth-generation jets — an area in which it is now challenging the hitherto global leader in such technologies, the United States (US). Meanwhile, Pakistan is reportedly expected to acquire about 40 Chinese stealth fighters, with deliveries possibly starting as early as 2026. In March last year, the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the project to design and develop the Amca. The jet, intended to evade enemy radar and feature advanced sensors and electronics for secure, real-time information sharing with other aircraft and systems, has been under development in a project worth around Rs 15,000 crore.
