[Answered] A successful test of an indigenous air defence system shows a new model for defence research. Examine how collaboration with the private sector and foreign partners can accelerate technological indigenisation and enhance national security.

Introduction

India’s defence imports declined from 46% in 2016 to 36% in 2023 (SIPRI), but $60 billion of defence equipment is still imported annually. DRDO’s new Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) signals a shift toward indigenous capability and strategic autonomy.

New Model of Defence Research: IADWS as a Case Study

1. Integrated Design Philosophy: Three-layered system: Quick Reaction SAM (30 km), VSHORADS (6 km), and Directed Energy Weapon (2–4 km). Centralised Command and Control Centre ensures multi-domain synergy: aircraft, drones, missiles. Showcases systems integration capability across DRDO labs—DRDL, ASL, RCI, TBRL.
2. Legacy of IGMDP and Tech Synergy: Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (1983): Agni, Prithvi, Nag, Akash, Trishul; now ABM, ASAT, MIRV capabilities. R&D clusters built navigation, guidance, seekers, composite materials. Young Scientists Lab explores AI, quantum, asymmetric tech—key for future warfare.

Private Sector Participation: Filling Capability Gaps

1. Defence Industrial Base Diversification: Public labs create IP; private firms manufacture high-end components (Carborundum Universal Ltd for ceramic radomes). Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (ToT) broaden production.
2. Make-in-India and iDEX Model: Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) has funded >400 startups, drones, AI-enabled sensors. Private firms contribute cost competitiveness, innovation speed, flexible production.
3. Reducing Technology Denial Risks: Civil-military fusion ensures resilience amid sanctions and export controls; indigenous supply chains reduce dependence on foreign OEMs.

Foreign Collaboration: Leveraging Strengths Without Dependence

1. Complementary Capabilities: BrahMos with Russia, Indian mission control & navigation; Russian propulsion. LR-SAM with Israel, India did rear integration; Israel provided seeker.
2. Benchmarking Global Systems: Lessons from Iron Dome (Israel): 160-km radar envelope, cost-optimised Tamir interceptors. THAAD, David’s Sling, Arrow-3 combined provide multi-layered defence model relevant to India’s threat spectrum (Pakistan & China).
3. Technology Absorption & Co-Development: Policy should be collaborate only where no off-the-shelf solution exists, ensuring IP sharing and sovereignty in integration. Enhances export potential (Philippines’ BrahMos deal $375 million).

National Security and Strategic Significance

1. Geopolitical imperatives: Two-front threat; UAV, cruise missile proliferation.
2. Economic logic: Indigenous systems can lower per-unit cost; Tamir cost cut from $100k to $50k through mass production.
3. Doctrinal shift: “Atmanirbhar Bharat” aligns with Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 and Strategic Partnership Model.

Way Forward

1. Expand public-private R&D ecosystems; incentivise Tier-2/3 suppliers.
2. Strengthen IPR and export frameworks; integrate AI, directed energy, hypersonics.
3. Foster trusted foreign partnerships for radar, seekers, propulsion; keep core integration sovereign.

Conclusion

As K. Subrahmanyam argued in Indian Defence and Security: “Self-reliance is the foundation of strategic freedom.” IADWS demonstrates that collaboration-driven indigenisation is key to India’s credible deterrence and national security.