The Quest for Strategic Autonomy: Indigenisation of Indian Defence Industry

Editors: Kuldeep Verma | Divya Dwivedi

This book is a comprehensive analysis of India’s defence indigenisation efforts, providing valuable insights for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. It offers a comprehensive analysis of India’s defence indigenisation efforts and its implications for the nation’s strategic autonomy. The editors and contributors have contributed a diverse range of perspectives, and the book is expected to serve as a cornerstone for understanding the intricate dynamics shaping India’s defence landscape. The book’s success is attributed to its dedication, expertise, and scholarly rigour, and it will undoubtedly have an enduring impact on the discourse surrounding India’s defence and indigenisation efforts.

Prof. S.S. Rawat Principal
Hindu College, Moradabad

The book The Quest for Strategic Autonomy: Indigenisation of Indian Defence Industry highlights the importance of indigenisation in the defence sector in addressing global security challenges. It provides insights into India’s journey towards strategic autonomy and its implications for national security and economic development. The editors and contributors have crafted a comprehensive work that offers valuable perspectives for policymakers, scholars and professors. The book is praised for its diverse voices and contributions and is expected to inspire and enlighten those in the critical fields of defence and security.

Col. (Dr.) Mohinder Pal Singh
Sr. Fellow, Centre for Land Warfare Studies,
Director, EGROW Foundation

In a rapidly changing world with shifting global dynamics and emerging security concerns, the notion of ‘strategic autonomy’ has gained significant importance for India. The country’s ambitions for global leadership necessitate a strong focus on self-sufficiency in the defence sector. The Quest for Strategic Autonomy: Indigenisation of Indian Defence Industry provides a thorough examination of India’s efforts to become self-reliant in its defence sector, offering valuable insights into this important topic.

This book aims to explore the diverse aspects of India’s defence industry indigenisation efforts. The discussion will encompass a wide range of subjects, such as policy frameworks, technological advancements, economic considerations, and strategic implications. By gathering the insights of esteemed experts, scholars, and professors, the book seeks to offer a thorough examination of the obstacles and possibilities in the indigenisation process.

The book aims to provide insights into the historical context, the present state, and the future possibilities of India’s pursuit of defence self-sufficiency. This resource will be highly beneficial for policymakers, defence professionals, researchers, and individuals intrigued by India’s pursuit of strategic autonomy in an ever-evolving global security environment. The Quest for Strategic Autonomy aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion on the importance of a robust domestic defence industry in strengthening India’s national security, elevating its international standing, and reinforcing its ability to make independent strategic decisions.

Editors: Kuldeep Verma | Divya Dwivedi Dr. Kuldeep Verma is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies at Hindu College, Moradabad. He holds a Master’s Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies and done his Doctorate (D.Phil) on ‘Narco-Terrorism with Special reference to Afghanistan’ from the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, University of Allahabad, with JRF and SRF fellowship under the supervision of Prof. Bharti Das. He has written extensively in various journals and Chapters in academic and edited books relating to defence and security studies. He has also organised some national and international level seminars, conferences, and webinars, and has also presented papers at different seminars and conferences. He has also edited the book titled Taliban’s Afghanistan: Boundaries and Beyond.

Dr. Divya Dwivedi is an Assistant Professor & Former Head of the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies at Prof. Rajendra Singh State University, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Dwivedi earned her PhD degree from the Department of Defence & Strategic Studies, University of Allahabad, under the supervision of Prof. Sanjeev Bhadauria. She is a keen researcher in the field of Revolution in Military Affairs, Information Warfare and Cyber Security issues, with almost 11 years of research experience, including more than 5 years of teaching at the University. She also qualified UGC-NET (JRF) in Defence and Strategic Studies in 2010.

Contents

Foreword
Preface
Editors and Contributors

Section I: Policy Framework and Developments

1. The Shadow Balance: Ethical Issues of Global Arms Trade
David Shakarishvili
2. DPEPP 2020: Paving the Path to Self-Reliance and Global Competence
Prachi Kushwaha
3. Defence Reforms: Need of the Hour
Madan Mohan Shukla
4. India’s Defence Industry: The Next Big Game-Changer
Supreet Dhamija
5. Role of Business Enterprises in Shaping India’s Indigenous Defence Model
Anirban Sen
6. The Geopolitical Significance of India’s Defence Exports: Arms and Alliances
Vivaksha Vats
7. Defence Start-up Revolution: Catalysing India’s Atmanirbhar Vision
Nisha Saini
8. Cosmic Safeguard: Space Technology’s Definitive Role in India’s Defence
Paridhi Billore
9. Artificial Intelligence, the Steering Force: The Demanding Roadmap for Indian Defence
Tulika Verma and Kuldeep Verma
10. Corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board: A Shift in India’s Defence Landscape
Kuldeep Verma and Divya Dwivedi
11. Global Reach of India’s Defence Export: A Case of Japan’s Defence Exports to India
Simran Walia
12. Indian Defence Sector: An Avenue Towards the Self-Reliance ‘Bharat’
Priyanka Das

Section II: Case Studies of Defence Production and Developments

13. Emerging Opportunities for Naval Export from India:
A Study on Modernisation Efforts and Challenges
Alok Yadav
14. From Ideas to Action: The Role of Defence and Aerospace
Start-ups in Strengthening India’s National Security Industry
Wankhede Rahul Bhojraj
15. A Strategic Perspective on India’s Defence Land Industry:
PSU Companies’ Progress, Setbacks, and Future Trajectory
Sushil Kumar Singh
16. BrahMos Aerospace: Pioneering Versatility and Global Impact in Missile Systems
Chandrajeet Kumar Yadav
17. DRDO: Reflections on the Past, Present, and Future of India’s Defence Research Agency
Vinni Verma
18. A Paradigm Shift: Private Sector Companies in the Defence Industry
Ayushman Sharma and Amol Gupta
19. Revolutionising Indian Aerospace: HAL’s Quest for Innovation and Excellence
Aditya Sadhukhan
20. Artificial Intelligence, the Steering Force: The Demanding Roadmap for Indian Defence
Apoorva Raghav
21. Wings of Innovation: HAL’s Journey in the Indian Aerospace Landscape
Deeksha Chaturvedi
Index