2024 was landmark year for India's defence sector as the country made major strides under its ambitious 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative and bolstered its armed forces with big-ticket defence deals.
The year started on a high as India joined a select group of countries following the success of "Mission Divyastra" in March. It later inked the long-awaited Predator drone deal with the US and saw the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Tata-Airbus C-295 facility in Vadodra — the country's first private military aircraft plant.
The government's emphasis on the modernisation of India's defence sector was also reflected in Union Budget 2024-25. The Centre allocated Rs 6.21 lakh crore to Ministry of Defence, marking a 4.79 per cent increase from FY24. The budget set aside Rs 1.72 lakh crore (26 per cent) for capital outlay to bolster the armed forces, 20.33 per cent higher than the actual expenditure of FY 2022-23 and 9.40 per cent more than the revised allocation of FY 2023-24.
As the year draws to a close, here’s a look at the country’s key achievements in the defence sector:
First test flight of Agni-5 MIRV missile
On March 11, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists successfully conducted the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile under Mission Divyastra.
The scientists tested Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. With the test of Mission Divyastra, India joined the select group of nations who have MIRV capability.
Agni-5 missile has a range of up to 5,000 km and it can bring almost the entire Asia including the northernmost part of China as well as some regions in Europe under its striking range. MIRV technology enables a single missile to carry and deliver multiple independent re-entry vehicles, allowing for the precise and targeted destruction of various objectives.
India’s big-ticket Predator drone deal with US
A significant defence partnership between India and the US was solidified with the signing of agreements worth around Rs 32,000 crore. This included the procurement of 31 Predator drones for the Indian armed forces and the establishment of a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India.
Of the 31 drones, 15 will be for the Indian Navy and eight each for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. The Navy version of the drone is called Sea Guardian while the IAF and Army version is known as Sky Guardian.
The drones are expected to enhance the surveillance and intelligence capabilities of the Indian armed forces. Known as "hunter-killer" drones, the UAVs can fly up to an altitude of 40,000 feet and can stay airborne for nearly 40 hours. They can also carry up to four Hellfire missiles and around 450 kgs of bombs.
The drones are expected to give India a significant edge over Pakistan and China along the western and northern frontiers.
Inauguration of Tata-Airbus facility in India
In October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez inaugurated the Tata Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft in Vadodara. Tata Advanced Systems Ltd will produce 40 C-295 aircraft in Vadodara as part of the C-295 programme.
Under the C-295 programme, 56 aircraft are to be delivered out of which 16 are being delivered directly by Airbus from Spain and remaining 40 are to be made in India by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd.
In September 2021, Ministry of Defence had signed a Rs 21,935-crore contract with Airbus Defence and Space SA, Spain for supply of 56 aircraft - 16 to be brought in fly away condition from Spain and 40 to be built in India by TASL.
The Airbus C-295 is a medium tactical transport aircraft that was designed and initially manufactured by the Spanish aerospace company CASA, which is now a part of the European multinational Airbus Defence and Space division. The C-295 can also be used for medical evacuations, disaster response, and maritime patrol duties.
DAC clears projects worth Rs 21,772 crore
In the first week of December, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for five capital acquisition proposals worth over Rs 21,772 crore.
DAC granted AoN for the procurement of 31 New Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts (NWJFACs) for the Indian Navy. These are designed to perform the task of low intensity maritime operations, surveillance, patrol, and search and rescue (SAR) operations close to coast. In addition, these vessels will play an effective role in anti-piracy missions, especially in and around our island territories.
The council also cleared procurement of 120 Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC-1). These vessels are capable to perform multiple roles, including escorting high value units such as aircraft carriers, destroyers, and frigates, submarines for coastal defence.
AoN for procurement of Electronic Warfare Suite (EWS) comprising external airborne self protection jammer pods, next generation radar warning receiver and associated equipment for Su-30 MKI Aircraft was accorded by DAC. It also approved the procurement of six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH-MR) for Indian Coast Guard to strengthen the coastal security and surveillance in the coastal areas.
Army’s new elite tech unit
To leverage the latest advancements in communication technology, the Army announced the establishment the Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group (STEAG).
This specialised unit is dedicated towards conducting in-depth research and evaluation of emerging technologies such as AI, 5G, 6G, machine learning, and quantum technologies for their potential to enhance military capabilities.
“STEAG will be the nursery for nurturing and developing tailored technologies spanning the complete spectrum of wired and wireless systems to include electronic exchanges, mobile communications, Software Defined Radios (SDR), Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, 5G and 6G networks, among others,” Indian Army officials said. “It will be a premier organisation, the first of its kind, equipped with the capability to harness niche technology, leverage cutting edge solutions and identify suitable use-cases for defence applications by fostering collaboration and partnership with academia and industry,” they added.
Indian Army’s induction of indigenously manufactured ‘Asmi’ machine pistols
In a significant advancement towards India's self-reliance initiative, the Indian Army inducted 550 indigenously manufactured 'Asmi' machine pistols into its Northern Command. The weapon has been made by the Indian Army in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
“The 'Asmi' machine pistol is a robust, compact and reliable weapon designed for close quarter battles and specialised operations. Its unique semi-bullpup design allows for single-handed operation both as a pistol and submachine gun,” Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI), Indian Army said on X.
Lokesh Machines Limited was awarded the contract in April this year to supply 550 9×19mm Asmi machine pistols to the Army’s special forces in the Northern Command.
26 Rafale-M Jets, 3 Scorpene submarines deal in 2025
Next year, India is set to seal the proposed procurement of 26 naval variant of Rafale jets and three additional Scorpene submarines soon, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said. The Navy chief also said that 62 ships and a submarine are currently under construction within the country as part of efforts to boost its naval power.
A large number of platforms are waiting for induction in the next one year and at least one ship will be inducted into the Navy, he said.
"We have redoubled efforts to include niche technologies into the force," Admiral Tripathi was quoted as saying by PTI.
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