India Takes a Giant Leap Towards Self-Reliance in Defence Manufacturing

India's defence industry has been on a trajectory of growth and transformation in recent years, driven by the government's efforts to promote self-reliance and reduce dependence on foreign imports. The latest development in this direction is the notification of the sixth Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) by the Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence. This list comprises 405 strategically important items, including Line Replaceable Units, sub-systems, sub-assemblies, spares, components, and raw materials, with an estimated business potential of Rs 3,070 crore.

The PIL is a significant step towards achieving the government's vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' in defence manufacturing. The list contains 16 items of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and 389 items of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). These items cover a broad range of defence platforms and systems, including those used by the ICG and DPSUs. The DDP has also made available the detailed list of items on the SRIJAN Portal (srijandefence.gov.in), which provides an indicative timeline for indigenisation.

The success of the PIL is attributed to the SRIJAN Defence Portal, launched by the DDP in August 2020. This portal serves as a dedicated platform for DPSUs and Service Headquarters (SHQs) to offer defence items to the industry, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups, for indigenous development and production. Since its launch, the portal has facilitated the offer of more than 33,000 defence items for indigenisation by DPSUs and SHQs up to June 2026. These include 5,012 items notified under the first five Positive Indigenisation Lists.

The impact of the SRIJAN Portal has been significant, with over 15,700 defence items successfully indigenised, resulting in an estimated import substitution value of about Rs 9,000 crore over the last five years. In addition, DPSUs have placed procurement orders, including in-house production, worth approximately Rs 10,000 crore on domestic vendors up to March 2026. This has not only expanded opportunities for the Indian industry but also strengthened the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem, promoting investment and innovation.

The government's efforts to promote self-reliance in defence manufacturing are yielding positive results. The notification of the sixth PIL is a testament to this commitment, and it is expected to further expand opportunities for the Indian industry, strengthen the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem, and reduce dependence on imports. As India continues to move towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the industry is likely to witness significant growth and transformation in the years to come.

Key Takeaways

• The sixth Positive Indigenisation List comprises 405 strategically important items, including Line Replaceable Units, sub-systems, sub-assemblies, spares, components, and raw materials.
• The list has an estimated business potential of Rs 3,070 crore and contains 16 items of the Indian Coast Guard and 389 items of Defence Public Sector Undertakings.
• The SRIJAN Defence Portal has facilitated the offer of over 33,000 defence items for indigenisation, with 5,012 items notified under the first five Positive Indigenisation Lists.
• Over 15,700 defence items have been successfully indigenised, resulting in an estimated import substitution value of about Rs 9,000 crore over the last five years.
• DPSUs have placed procurement orders, including in-house production, worth approximately Rs 10,000 crore on domestic vendors up to March 2026.