Through a blend of government support, strategic partnerships, and innovative solutions, the Indian Navy is on course to achieve its vision of a self-reliant, world-class defence force by 2047
Words by Neeraj Tiwari
In the year 2014, when BJP formed the government in the Centre, the Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi spoke often of building a ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. This meant to drive India’s major sectors towards the self-reliance and try to create everything based on “Make In India” terms.
In line with this vision, India’s critical defence sector too decided to prioritise make in India, and recently opened a ‘Swawalamban’ program which gives a greater focus on production within India’s borders.
Vision for Self-Reliance
As I sat down in conversation with Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), he emphasised the Indian Navy’s goal of achieving complete self-reliance by 2047. This vision, driven by global supply chain challenges and shifting geopolitical landscapes, aims to secure critical defence resources domestically.
“By reducing our dependency on imports, especially in technology and critical components, we aim to ensure our forces remain fully prepared,” he said. He credited Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” call as a significant influence on the Navy’s mission.
Progress on Indigenisation
The Navy’s commitment to building domestically is evident, with 63 out of 65 ships under construction at Indian shipyards. Focusing on indigenising propulsion, power generation, and weapons systems, Admiral Tripathi shared that 262 projects are in development, 171 of which fall under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme. This initiative highlights the Navy’s investment in homegrown talent and advanced technology.
Boosting Innovation through iDEX
The iDEX scheme has catalysed innovation within the defence sector. At the recent DefConnect 4.0, the Navy pledged INR 132.5 crore to foster breakthrough technologies, with projects like the “AI-Based Crawling Bot Inspection System” and advanced proximity fuses showcasing promising advances. By collaborating with start-ups and MSMEs, the Navy is embracing new perspectives that bring unique solutions to critical areas.
Role of DAPI and CISR
The Directorate of Armament Production and Indigenisation (DAPI) has played a pivotal role since its establishment in 2017, driving innovation and reducing import dependence through the indigenisation of over 800 Naval Armament stores. Admiral Tripathi highlighted the Centre for Indigenisation & Self Reliance (CISR) as another key player, which, with units in Visakhapatnam, Mumbai, and Coimbatore, has successfully replaced foreign-origin parts on key platforms with locally made components. “This strategic, bottom-up approach is crucial to the Navy’s self-reliance journey,” he noted.
Swavlamban Seminar: A Collaborative Platform
Now in its third year, the Swavlamban seminar has expanded into a vital collaborative event, sharing achievements across defence services. This year’s theme, “Strength and Power through Innovation and Indigenisation,” underscores the Navy’s focus on leveraging expertise from all stakeholders. Admiral Tripathi remarked, “Swavlamban has become a cornerstone of our indigenisation efforts, driving knowledge-sharing and collaborative problem-solving across the defence ecosystem.”
Partnerships with Start-Ups and MSMEs
The Navy’s partnerships with over 155 start-ups and MSMEs have been instrumental in fostering innovation. Engaging these companies in 173 industry challenges has yielded over 2,000 proposals, 171 contracts, and investments surpassing INR 2,000 crore. “This collaboration has enormous potential to make India a global hub for defence innovation,” said Admiral Tripathi.
Scaling Indigenisation Efforts Across the Defence Sector
Admiral Tripathi highlighted the Navy’s commitment to scaling its indigenisation initiatives across all defence branches, with strong support from the government. “With more participation and a clear roadmap, we’re poised to advance indigenisation sector-wide and transform India into a self-reliant defence powerhouse,” he stated.
Government Support: A Catalyst for Transformation
Acknowledging the critical role of government support, Admiral Tripathi underscored the impact of policies like iDEX and the Positive Indigenisation Lists, which have been instrumental in guiding the Navy’s indigenisation journey. “Our efforts in innovation, development, and production would not be possible without the unwavering backing of the government,” he concluded.
