India Remains Dependent On Imported Defence

The defence ministry recently cleared acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France for Rs.3.25 lakh crore, underscoring India’s ongoing reliance on imported arms. The piece cites low DRDO R&D share (3.94% of the 2025-26 defence budget), shortages in jet engines, AESA radars, and testing infrastructure, and compares India’s trajectory unfavorably with China. It urges major investment to build indigenous high-end military technology.