Originally published at : https://www.oneindia.com/india/locked-loaded-and-made-in-india-army-s-2030-ammo-self-reliance-mission-4119483.html
The Indian Army is on a mission to achieve complete indigenisation of its ammunition by 2030, a goal aligned with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. This roadmap aims to eliminate import reliance, strengthen national security, and boost India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. With significant progress, the plan reflects a strategic blend of collaboration, innovation, and determination.
The Plan: A Clear Path to Self-Reliance
The Army’s strategy focuses on indigenising all ammunition types it requires, including rounds for tanks, artillery, and air defence systems. In 2021, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) identified 175 ammunition variants for indigenisation under a 10-year plan. By 2025, over 150 of these had been successfully developed domestically, significantly reducing import dependency. The target is to cover the remaining variants-such as precision-guided munitions-by 2030.
Why Indigenisation Is Critical
Key to this effort is collaboration between the public and private sectors. The Army has facilitated technology transfers for critical munitions, like the 125 mm Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilised Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) rounds for T-90 tanks, with production underway by Munitions India Limited (MIL). Private firms, including Solar Industries and Adani Defence, are scaling up through initiatives like the ‘Manufacture of Ammunition for Indian Army by Indian Industry’ programme, launched in 2017. New facilities, such as MIL’s plant in Uttar Pradesh, aim to meet domestic and export demands.
This push is driven by strategic and economic needs. Dependence on imports, evident during the 1999 Kargil War when India scrambled to procure artillery shells, exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains. Indigenisation ensures operational readiness, especially amid tensions with neighbours like China and Pakistan. Economically, it cuts the Army’s Rs 20,000 crore annual ammunition budget, of which imports once formed 30-40%. Today, that figure is below 10%, with plans to phase out imports entirely by 2030, barring niche items.
The initiative also boosts India’s defence industry. Companies like MIL have secured export orders, such as a $250 million deal for artillery shells in 2023, showcasing growing global competitiveness. Strategically, a self-reliant ammunition supply enhances India’s autonomy in a volatile geopolitical environment.
Progress Achieved
The Army has made remarkable strides. Per MoD reports, by 2023, over 90% of ammunition for systems like the Bofors 155 mm howitzer and T-90 tanks was indigenised. The DRDO and private players have developed rounds for the Dhanush gun and Pinaka rockets, while MIL’s production of 155 mm shells has surged. The Army’s positive indigenisation lists, updated annually, have opened contracts worth thousands of crores to Indian firms since 2020.
Private sector involvement has been pivotal. Solar Industries’ Nagpur facility and Adani’s Kanpur plant, which have been operational since 2024, are scaling up output. The Army’s phased approach-testing prototypes and refining designs-has ensured quality matches global standards, though some complex munitions, like guided shells, remain in development.
Challenges Ahead
Some stumbling blocks continue but are being addressed. For instance, high-precision munitions require advanced technology, and past DRDO efforts, like early APFSDS rounds, faced quality issues, necessitating foreign collaboration. Scaling production to wartime levels, maintaining cost-effectiveness, and modernising ageing stockpiles pose further hurdles. The Army pragmatically balances indigenisation with operational upgrades within budget limits, such as shifting to 155 mm artillery.
Looking to 2030
By 2030, the Army aims for a fully indigenous ammunition supply chain supported by a robust industrial base. This includes next-generation rounds, such as extended-range rockets, aligning with plans to ‘mediumise’ artillery by 2040. The effort promises self-sufficiency and export growth, with India eyeing Southeast Asia and African markets.
A National Priority
The Indian Army’s roadmap to ammunition indigenisation by 2030 is a national endeavour. It reduces vulnerabilities, saves resources, and positions India as a defence manufacturing hub. As the Army nears this milestone, it exemplifies how strategic vision and collaboration can transform India’s military and economic landscape, ensuring it stands firm and self-reliant in an uncertain world.
