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First Post
3 days ago
- Business
- First Post
India's defence leap: From indigenous production to global exports, redefining national security
Defence exports have surged more than 30-fold to approximately Rs 23,622 crore in 2024–25. Officials say production now meets about 65 per cent of defence requirements, compared to a heavy earlier dependence on imports read more Indian Army's T-90 Bhishma tanks (front) drive during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India. (Photo: Reuters) India's defence sector has seen a notable transformation over the last 11 years, as government reports highlight rapid growth in domestic production, expanded exports and a more inclusive military structure. According to a press briefing from the government on June 10, the defence budget has climbed from Rs 2.53 lakh crore in 2013–14 to Rs 6.81 lakh crore in 2025–26 . In parallel, indigenous defence manufacturing reached a record Rs 1.27 lakh crore in 2023–24—an increase of 174 per cent over the 2014–15 level. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Simultaneously, exports have surged more than 30-fold, growing from just Rs 686 crore nearly a decade ago to approximately Rs 23,622 crore in 2024–25. Officials say production now meets about 65 per cent of defence requirements, compared to a heavy earlier dependence on imports. The Ministry of Defence signed 193 contracts worth Rs 2.09 lakh crore in 2024–25, with 177 contracts awarded to domestic firms for Rs 1.69 lakh crore. The private sector's role in defence output has also risen, contributing roughly 21 per cent, while over 430 licensed firms and 16,000 MSMEs now support a broad industrial base. Another area of shift has been gender inclusion. Around 11,000 women now serve as officers in the armed forces, up from approximately 3,000 in 2014. In addition, 507 women have been granted permanent commissions to advance career progression. Beyond mere numbers, the period has included doctrinal and operational changes. Reports highlight enhanced counter-terrorism actions and strategic border operations undertaken to protect internal security. Challenges for India's defence sector Despite notable gains, India's sector still faces major hurdles. These include quality control, delays in project execution, limited R&D spending, and a need for deeper integration between defence PSUs and private industry. India also remains dependent on foreign technology for jet engines, stealth systems, and advanced sensors. Additionally, while defence indigenisation has increased in scale, true technological self-reliance will require consistent investment in research, talent retention, and long-term strategic planning. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Still, the changes over the past decade suggest India is positioning itself as both a regional power and a more assertive player in the global defence ecosystem.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Pahalgam terror attack fallout: How militaries, nuclear arsenal of India and Pakistan compare
The recent terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 tourists has sharply escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, raising fears of a broader conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Pakistan claims to have credible intelligence suggesting that India intends to launch military action soon, further intensifying the already fragile situation in the region. Since the attack, the militaries of India and Pakistan have exchanged sporadic gunfire along the disputed Line of Control (LoC), and diplomatic relations have deteriorated sharply. With military conflict being a distinct possibility, here's a detailed look at the defense forces and arsenals of India and Pakistan, drawing on data from the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies and other authoritative sources, to understand the military balance amid this crisis. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Oromia: AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Aroun... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Personnel and forces India maintains a significantly larger and more powerful military force compared to Pakistan. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, India has approximately 1.4 million active military personnel, including 1.23 million in the Army, 75,500 in the Navy, 149,900 in the Air Force, and 13,350 in the Coast Guard. In contrast, Pakistan's active military numbers fewer than 700,000, with 560,000 in the army, 70,000 in the air force, and 30,000 in the navy. India also fields a much larger paramilitary force of about 2.5 million personnel, compared to Pakistan's approximately 500,000 paramilitary members. This disparity enhances India's capacity for internal security and counterinsurgency operations, especially in volatile regions like Kashmir. Defense budgets India's defense budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 is estimated at around $79 billion, reflecting a nearly 10% increase over the previous year. Pakistan's defense budget is significantly smaller, at approximately $7.6 to $8 billion. This vast difference in funding allows India to invest heavily in modernising its military hardware, procurement, and maintenance, while Pakistan faces more constrained resources. Armored and mechanised forces India possesses about 4,201 tanks, including advanced models such as the T-90 Bhishma and the indigenous Arjun tanks. Pakistan fields approximately 2,627 tanks, a smaller armored fleet in comparison. In terms of artillery, India has 9,743 units, while Pakistan has 4,619. Air and naval capabilities India operates a fleet of roughly 730 combat-ready aircraft, including modern fighters like the Rafale jets, while Pakistan has about 452 aircraft. The Indian Navy is also more formidable, with 16 destroyers, 16 frigates, and two aircraft carriers, compared to Pakistan's navy, which includes eight submarines and 10 frigates. Nuclear arsenal and missile capabilities Both India and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons, with India recently surpassing Pakistan in the number of warheads for the first time in over two decades. India is estimated to have around 180 nuclear warheads, while Pakistan has approximately 170. This shift reflects India's ongoing nuclear modernization efforts, including the deployment of Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs) on its Agni-V ballistic missiles, which significantly enhance its strike capabilities. India's Agni-V missile has a range of 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers, capable of reaching targets across the region and beyond, including China. Pakistan's Shaheen-3 missile, still under development, has a range of around 2,750 kilometers, sufficient to cover all of India depending on launch location. Both countries are working to develop a nuclear triad-capabilities to launch nuclear weapons from land, sea, and air-which adds to the complexity of deterrence and escalation risks in the region. Advantage India The military imbalance between India and Pakistan is stark, with India's conventional forces and defense budget far outstripping Pakistan's. This disparity has pushed Pakistan to rely more on asymmetric strategies, including its nuclear deterrent, to offset India's superiority. The recent Pahalgam attack and subsequent threats of military action have brought these dynamics into sharp focus. India's nuclear doctrine has traditionally emphasized 'No First Use,' but recent statements suggest potential flexibility in response to major terrorist attacks linked to Pakistan, especially if chemical or biological weapons are involved. India's ongoing development of a nuclear triad and MIRV capabilities further complicates the strategic calculus, increasing the risks of escalation in any conflict scenario.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BrahMos missiles, Rafales, Sukhoi & Predator drones: What is India's defence muscle if it ever has to attack?
Twenty six civilians—mostly tourists—were killed in broad daylight on Tuesday when terrorists opened fire near Pahalgam, a scenic town in Jammu and Kashmir. It was the deadliest attack since the Pulwama suicide bombing of 2019. A shadowy outfit called The Resistance Front (TRF), reportedly backed by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility. India is significantly more prepared today to strike at terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan than it was during the Balakot air strikes in 2019, according to senior defence sources cited by ET Bureau. The shift stems from key upgrades in India's air strike capabilities and strategic assets. The Indian Air Force now fields Rafale fighter jets armed with SCALP missiles, which have a strike range exceeding 300 km. These precision-guided, stand-off weapons allow India to hit high-value targets deep within Pakistani territory—without crossing the border. This operational reach not only enhances the element of surprise but also limits risk to Indian pilots and assets. GIF89a����!�,D; 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Breaks His Silence: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo India has also deployed the S-400 air defence system, capable of tracking and neutralising incoming threats at long ranges. In addition, the armed forces now possess loitering munitions, which can hover in contested airspace before locking onto and destroying a target, adding flexibility in dynamic combat scenarios. Indian Armed Forces: The Numbers and the Muscle In the face of heightened tensions, India's military preparedness is under scrutiny. According to the Global Firepower Index 2025, India holds the fourth position globally in terms of military capability, while Pakistan has slipped to twelfth. Live Events India maintains 1,455,550 active personnel, backed by 1,155,000 reservists and over 2.5 million paramilitary forces. In contrast, Pakistan's active military strength stands at 654,000 with about 500,000 paramilitary troops. On land, India dominates. It fields 4,201 tanks, including advanced T-90 Bhishma and Arjun models. In contrast, Pakistan operates 2,627 tanks. India also maintains nearly 149,000 armoured vehicles—three times more than Pakistan. However, Pakistan has a numerical edge in self-propelled artillery systems. The Indian Army forms the backbone of India's defence, especially in terms of land warfare and border defence. The inventory includes (approximate figures): Tanks: 4,201 (T-90 Bhishma, Arjun, and other models) Armoured vehicles: 148,050+ Artillery: 4,204 towed artillery guns Rocket projectors: 1,338 units Self-propelled artillery systems: 100 units India's tank fleet is nearly double that of Pakistan (2,627 tanks). It also operates a significantly larger number of armoured fighting vehicles and field artillery systems. While Pakistan holds an edge in self-propelled artillery, India's recent emphasis has been on mobile firepower and border-ready infrastructure. The Indian Army is also undergoing modernisation with a strong emphasis on indigenisation and tech integration. This includes upgrading ageing platforms and introducing night-fighting capabilities, digital battlefield networks, and integrated command structures. Aerial Supremacy: India's Expanding Sky Power In the skies, India fields 2,229 aircraft, including 513 fighter jets. Pakistan has 1,399 aircraft and 328 fighters. India has a larger helicopter fleet (899 vs 373) and a superior aerial refuelling capacity with six tankers, compared to Pakistan's four. The Indian Air Force is also looking ahead. The recently finalised deal with France for 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets is a milestone. These aircraft, worth ₹63,000 crore, will be stationed aboard India's aircraft carriers, further enhancing India's air-naval capabilities. 'The event is also planned to be held outside the Defence Ministry headquarters in South Block,' defence sources told ANI, adding that French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu will visit India for the signing. This deal will push India's Rafale fleet to 62 aircraft, bolstering its 4.5-generation combat capability. The Rafales already in operation from Ambala and Hashimara airbases have enhanced India's rapid response edge. India's air power plays a critical role in deterrence and rapid deployment. The Indian Air Force has a total fleet of 2,229 aircraft, including: Fighter jets: 513 Helicopters: 899 Transport aircraft: 560+ Aerial tankers: 6 Pakistan's total aircraft strength is 1,399, with 328 fighter jets and 373 helicopters. The IAF also surpasses Pakistan in refuelling and strategic lift capabilities. A key recent development is India's ₹63,000 crore deal with France to acquire 26 Rafale Marine aircraft. These carrier-capable fighter jets will operate from India's aircraft carriers and strengthen maritime air power. This follows the earlier acquisition of 36 Rafale jets, now fully operational at Ambala and Hashimara. India's air modernisation plans also include the induction of the indigenously developed Tejas Mk-2, upgrades to the Su-30MKI fleet, and active planning for fifth-generation fighters under the AMCA project. A Blue-Water Navy with Teeth India's maritime power is critical given its long coastline and growing Indo-Pacific presence. The Indian Navy is now a blue-water force with a fleet of 293 warships, including two aircraft carriers—INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant—capable of global deployment. India operates 18 submarines compared to Pakistan's eight. Notably, Pakistan has zero destroyers or aircraft carriers. This limits its role to a green-water navy—restricted to regional operations. The Indian Navy also recently commissioned Predator drones from the US to strengthen surveillance in the Indian Ocean. These MQ-9B drones will be divided among the Navy, Army, and Air Force. Delivery will begin four years from the signing. The Indian Navy has evolved into a true blue-water force, capable of extended operations beyond regional waters. Its current fleet includes: Total warships: 293 Aircraft carriers: 2 (INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant) Submarines: 18 Destroyers: 13 Frigates: 13 Corvettes: 23 India's maritime strength far exceeds Pakistan's, which lacks any aircraft carriers or destroyers and maintains just eight submarines. India's naval strategy is anchored in sea control across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the Indo-Pacific. The induction of MQ-9Predator drones from the United States will enhance surveillance and intelligence gathering across critical sea lanes. India is also expanding its underwater capability with nuclear-powered submarines under the Arihant-class programme and conventionally powered subs under Project-75I. Defence Spending and Modernisation India's defence budget for FY 2025-26 stands at ₹6.8 lakh crore ($79 billion)—a 9.5% rise from the previous year. Pakistan's defence budget has been increased by Rs 159 billion to a total of Rs 2,281 billion. India is pushing hard on modernisation. Beyond hardware, its focus lies in indigenisation. Defence exports rose by 78% in Q1 FY2024–25, reaching ₹6,915 crore. The goal: ₹50,000 crore in defence exports over five years. As part of this drive, India opened a domestic manufacturing facility for C-295 transport aircraft in 2024. It also inducted a new fleet of advanced Predator drones, strengthening both surveillance and combat capabilities. Nuclear and Cyber Capabilities India also holds a nuclear arsenal of approximately 160 warheads, supported by delivery systems including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched missiles (SLBMs), and air-launched cruise missiles. Cyber warfare is another rising front. While India maintains a defensive cyber posture, its intelligence wings—RAW and IB—have expanded capabilities to monitor and counter regional threats. India's cyber command is under active expansion, with dedicated teams under the Ministry of Defence and intelligence agencies. While primarily defensive, India has demonstrated offensive cyber capability, as seen in counter-terror ops and cross-border surveillance. In space, India has developed dedicated military satellites for reconnaissance, communications, and navigation—most notably under the GSAT and RISAT programmes. India's defence capabilities have seen rapid advancement over the past year. Whether through air, land, sea, or cyberspace, the Indian Armed Forces are better equipped today than they have been in decades. While diplomatic channels remain open, the Pahalgam attack has once again brought the military equation between India and Pakistan under sharp focus. While India reels from the aftermath, Pakistan has distanced itself. 'Pakistan has no link with the Pagalgam terror attack,' said Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. Despite the denial, Indian intelligence agencies are investigating tell-tale signs of coordination. Forensic reports and survivor accounts suggest the use of military-grade weapons and advanced communication gear. This has heightened suspicion of support from trained handlers operating across the Line of Control. Should India be forced to strike back, it now has both the muscle and the mandate.
First Post
22-04-2025
- Business
- First Post
Army uses Rs 35,000 cr of capital acquisition budget in historic first; 95% of it supports indigenous players
This record-breaking usage of funds from the Capital Acquisition Budget in FY24–25 marks a 152% increase from the previous Rs 13,900 crore spent in FY23-24 read more Indian Army's T-90 Bhishma tanks (front) drive during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India. (Photo: Reuters) The Indian Army has achieved a historic milestone. The service, for the first time, has used Rs 35,000 crore out of the funds earmarked for the purchase or development of long-term assets, particularly military hardware and infrastructure, a source from the Ministry of Defence with knowledge of the development told Firstpost. This record-breaking utilisation of funds from the Capital Acquisition Budget in the financial year 2024–25 marks a staggering 152 per cent year-on-year increase from the previous Rs 13,900 crore (approximate) spent, making it the highest-ever spending under the Army's capital budget. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Equally — if not more — impressive is the fact that 95 per cent of this total expenditure was sourced domestically. When asked about the significance of these historic numbers, the source, who requested anonymity as they were not authorised to speak publicly, said, 'It will most definitely give a boost to the Indian Army's operational preparedness. But what it will also do is boost economic growth through the multiplier effect, since this is quite a big amount. Of course, we expect significant job creation and that the expenditure will attract private investments.' Strong impact on economy expected The multiplier effect is an economic concept where an initial increase in spending leads to a larger overall increase in income and economic activity than the original amount spent. In this context, spending on defence equipment pays workers, stimulates demand for raw materials and services, and boosts related sectors. Those employed in these industries, in turn, spend their earnings on goods and services, further propelling economic activity across the value chain. Highlighting the breadth of this capital push, the source also shared another critical number: the Indian Army has concluded 26 capital contracts worth Rs 85,000 crore in recent months. Of these, 23 contracts were awarded to domestic vendors. 'The Make in India push is clear. This indigenous manufacturing of defence equipment is likely to create a def-industry ecosystem in the country,' the source noted, referencing the government's long-standing drive to reduce dependence on foreign imports and build an indigenous defence industrial base. Taken together, the Indian Army's overall expenditure of nearly Rs 1 lakh crore in FY 2024–25— across capital acquisitions and related outlays—is bound to have a positive effect on India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It signals a robust shift toward self-reliance, capability enhancement, and economic stimulation through defence spending. Capital outlay and capital acquisition budget The terms 'capital acquisition budget' and 'capital outlay' often appear together in defence budgeting, but they are not identical. Capital outlay is a broad category under the capital head of the Defence Budget. This includes capital acquisition, land acquisition, upgrading infrastructure, and other capital projects like the construction of storage facilities, buildings, roads, airfields, research infrastructure, base development, etc. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Information regarding capital outlay and expenditure was available in recent documents. Here's how Indian Army's capital outlay— allocated in Budget, revised mid-year, and actual expenditure— has been from FY2018-19 to FY2022-23. Data Source: Budget expenditure documents, Ministry of Finance, Government of India Funds for the capital acquisition budget are used specifically for procurement of new weapons and equipment, purchase or development of major platforms (for instance tanks, missiles, aircraft, drones, etc.) and modernisation of the armed forces. Simply put, the capital acquisition budget is the money set aside specifically for acquiring military hardware, either from Indian or foreign vendors. It excludes infrastructure and construction-related capital works. Capital acquisition budget and expenditure figures, which are part of capital outlay and spending, are sensitive in nature and, therefore, are not revealed in budget documents.
