New Delhi: Praising Prime Minister Narendra’s Modi’s steps to boost ‘Make in India’ defense industry since he took power in 2014, a US defence expert has said India has made great strides in reducing dependence on foreign arms import and promoted public and private partnership in building highly modern military hardware.
“India’s transformation into a modern defense power began in 2014, when Prime Minister Modi launched the “Make in India” initiative. The goal was clear: reduce dependence on foreign arms imports and build a world-class domestic defense industry. The policy incentivized joint ventures, opened defense to foreign direct investment up to 74%, and encouraged both public and private sector manufacturers to build sophisticated military hardware at home. Within a few years, systems like the BrahMos missile, K9 Vajra howitzer, and AK-203 rifle were being produced inside India—many with technology partnerships but increasing domestic control,” US defence expert John Spencer said in a piece published on social media platform X.
COVID and Galwan boosted India self-reliance
Spencer also explained how COVID 19 pandemic and clash with Chinese forces in Galwan prompted India to build self-reliant defence industry.
— John Spencer (@SpencerGuard) May 29, 2025
John Spencer wrote, “In 2020, the combined shock of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley clash with China exposed the fragility of foreign supply chains and the urgency of operational self-reliance. In response, Modi unveiled Atmanirbhar Bharat—meaning “Self-Reliant India.” More than an economic policy, it became a national security doctrine. India imposed phased bans on key defense imports, gave the armed forces emergency procurement powers, and poured investment into indigenous research, design, and production. By 2025, India had increased domestic content in defense procurement from 30% to 65%, with a goal of 90% by the decade’s end.”
Indigenous weapons against Chinese arms
According to Spencer, India pitted its indigenously developed weapons systems against Chinese-supplied platforms to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and won the technology war against its arch rival.
“Operation Sindoor pitted India’s indigenously developed weapons systems against Chinese-supplied platforms fielded by Pakistan. And India didn’t just win on the battlefield—it won the technology referendum. What unfolded was not just retaliation, but the strategic debut of a sovereign arsenal built under the twin doctrines of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat,” Spencer wrote in his article.
India’s indigenously developed weapon platforms
The US defence expert also shed light on how India’s indigenously developed weapons prominent among them BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile, Akash SAM and Akashteer Systems.
He further said, “Jointly developed with Russia but largely manufactured in India, the BrahMos is one of the fastest and most precise cruise missiles in the world. Flying at Mach 2.8–3.0 with a 290–500 km range, it was used to strike high-value targets like radar stations and hardened bunkers. Its speed and low radar cross-section make it nearly impossible to intercept.”
The John Spencer Verdict
Giving his final verdict on the India-Pakistan clash on the night of May 7, Spencer said, “India fought as a sovereign power—wielding precision tools it designed, built, and deployed with unmatched battlefield control. while, Pakistan fought as a proxy force, dependent on Chinese hardware that was built for export, not for excellence.”
The defence expert also said that the Chinese systems failed miserably while exposing the strategic hollowness behind Pakistan’s defense posture.