Indigenous Defence Content in India Reaches 65-70%, Says G Satheesh Reddy
Former DRDO chief G Satheesh Reddy says indigenous content in India's armed forces has risen sharply, with missiles, radars, ships and other systems increasingly made domestically.
Former DRDO chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy said India's defence sector has made significant progress in reducing dependence on foreign equipment. Speaking about the country's defence manufacturing transformation, he said indigenous content in armed forces equipment has risen from around 30-35% 15 years ago to approximately 65-70% today.
Reddy said India has developed domestic capabilities across several strategic areas, including missiles, radars, sonars, torpedoes, airborne early warning systems, tanks, guns, ships and submarines.
He also pointed to lessons from Operation Sindoor, saying Indian forces used several domestically developed systems, including BrahMos, Akash, MRSAM and drones. According to him, defence startups and private-sector companies have also become increasingly important to India's military manufacturing ecosystem.
Reddy said India's defence exports have crossed Rs 38,000 crore and could rise to Rs 50,000-60,000 crore next year as Indian companies become more integrated into global supply chains.
The shift reflects a broader push towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing, with domestic production expanding across both established defence organisations and newer private-sector players. From importing critical systems to increasingly building them at home, India's defence industry is clearly trying to make "Made in India" more than just a label.
