India, Sept. 4 -- India's defence manufacturing journey at 80

As India celebrated its 80th Independence Day, the meaning of self-reliance has changed. India in 1947 inherited an industrial base not designed for an independent nation and now, in 2026, is building an increasingly capable defence manufacturing ecosystem expected to equip its armed forces, innovate, scale and compete globally.

A modern military needs more than aircraft, warships and tanks. It requires body armour, precision ammunition, drones, counter-drone systems, sensors, advanced materials and the industrial capacity to manufacture, replenish and sustain these capabilities during prolonged operations. Strategic autonomy is ultimately the ability to sustain combat capabi...