Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande emphasized the importance of self-reliance in the defence sector, warning that a country’s security should not be outsourced or depend on the largesse of others. In a talk titled “Relevance of Hard Power in India’s Rise” at a conclave organized by the All India Management Association, General Pande highlighted the implications of external dependency on critical technologies and drew lessons from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Covid-19 pandemic.
General Pande noted that relying on other countries for key technologies risks leaving India “one technology cycle behind.” He stated, “In the context of capability development, if we are importing and are dependent on countries that possess these technologies, we must be very clear that we will always remain one technology cycle behind.” This dependence, according to the Army Chief, can have severe consequences during crises when supply chains are disrupted or denial regimes are weaponized.
He also underscored the need for India to focus on self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector to shape ‘hard power’ capabilities through the Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) initiative. This approach is critical for India’s security and ensures the country’s ability to shape outcomes that protect its interests. Pande emphasized that the impact of supply chain disruptions during the Covid-19 pandemic and the lessons from the Russia-Ukraine conflict illustrate why security cannot be dependent on external sources.
General Pande laid out the Indian Army’s vision for the future, which involves transforming into a modern, agile, adaptive, technology-enabled, and self-reliant force capable of operating in a multi-domain environment. The focus will be on creating a future-ready force capable of deterring and winning wars to protect national interests. To achieve this, the government has taken significant steps to boost indigenization, such as simplifying industrial licensing, encouraging private sector participation, and allowing foreign investment.
The Chief mentioned that there are currently 340 indigenous defence industries working towards fulfilling 230 contracts by 2025, with a total outlay of ₹2.5 lakh crore. Additionally, the Army’s self-reliance drive includes the creation of specialized Army Design Bureau (ADB) cells at various command headquarters. These cells aim to foster innovation and facilitate collaboration between the Army and the private sector to meet defence requirements.
The Army Design Bureau, launched in August 2016, serves as a bridge between the Army and private industry. This initiative aims to boost research and development, drive technological innovation, and enhance the Army’s capability development efforts. The establishment of these new ADB cells will empower command headquarters, formations, and unit commanders in their pursuit of self-reliance, offering greater outreach to the industry and enabling trials of niche technology.
