Making at home: Vikrant’s commissioning & plans to build fifth generation fighters must speed up defence self-reliance

Source: The post is based on an article “Making at home: Vikrant’s commissioning & plans to build fifth generation fighters must speed up defence self-reliance” published in The Times of India on 2^nd September 2022.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Defence technologies – Indigenization of technology

News: This article discusses the advantages of indigenization.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) recently cleared the project to develop Tejas Mark-2. It is an upgraded version of the indigenous light combat aircraft Tejas Mark-1. Another project of Rs 15,000-plus crore to build a fifth-generation advanced medium combat aircraft will be cleared in the next few months.

Tejas Mark-1 will replace the ageing MiG-21s while Tejas Mark-2 will gradually substitute Mirage-2000s, Jaguars and the MiG-29s.

Another good news is commissioning of INS Vikrant. More than 75% of the ship’s components have been procured domestically.

Why indigenization in defense is necessary?

Geopolitical environment – It has become more complex and India can no longer rely on Russia which is now China’s “limitless” ally.

Cost – Most hi-tech foreign purchases will be costlier than their domestically manufactured counterparts.

Advantage for Indian industry – Made in India arms and defence systems will be a big boost for Indian industry.

Why are imports still a necessity?

The import content for the indigenous Tejas fighter continues to be around 50%.

The key reason for reliance on foreign aero engines is that domestic Kaveri engine project failed.

Big private sector companies should be invited for joint research and development to make import dependency minimum.