Beyond ‘Make in India’: How India is trying to build a military it can truly call its own

India’s defence establishment has spent the past year pushing an ambitious self-reliance agenda, shifting from “Make in India” toward “Owned by India.” Key reforms include DAP 2026, domestic procurement allocation raised to 75%, new Buy Global-Manufacture in India and Make-III categories, and MSME-reserved acquisitions. The Defence Acquisition Council cleared 55 proposals worth Rs 6.73 lakh crore, including QRSAM, drone detection systems, AEW&C Mk-1A, Tejas Mk-1A and Rafale Marine. The Army restructured with Rudra All Arms Brigades, Bhairav commando battalions and Ashni drone platoons, responding to UAS gaps exposed during Operation Sindoor.