Analysis of India's Defence Strategy and Partnerships

This article explores the intricacies of India's defense strategy, focusing on its partnerships, particularly with the United States, and the challenges of dependency and strategic autonomy.

Dependence on Domestic Production and Imports

• India's defense public sector undertakings have a captive customer in the Indian Armed Forces.
• The Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign has increased reliance on domestic production, causing stress due to low production rates, particularly by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
• Despite efforts to enhance indigenous production, India remains the second-largest arms importer globally, as per Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report for 2020-24. Imports have reduced by 9.3% from 2015-19, yet expensive weapon systems will continue to be imported.

Indigenous Fighter Aircraft and Dependency on the U.S.

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) supports indigenous fighter projects like LCA Tejas Mk1A, Tejas Mk2, and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) which rely on American engines.
• India's strategic military operational capabilities may become tied to U.S. geopolitical interests.
• Current inventory includes significant Russian imports, such as 270 Sukhoi Su-30 fighters and S-400 missile systems, highlighting the ongoing influence of Russian defense relations.

Short Shelf Life of U.S.-India Defense Agreements

• India-U.S. defense relations have witnessed numerous initiatives, such as the ‘Defence Technology and Trade Initiative’ of 2012, often with limited long-term impact.
• The transactional nature of U.S. foreign policy, especially under changing administrations, raises concerns about the stability and reliability of these partnerships.

Evaluating True Partnerships

• True partnership requires mutual indispensability, equality, and complementary capabilities, as suggested by Professor Anna Simons.
• There is great asymmetry in defense capabilities between India and the U.S., leading to potential stifling dependency.
• Similar questions of partnership and dependency apply to India's relationships with other countries like Russia, Israel, and France.

Strategic Autonomy and Future Directions

• India must evaluate its strategic partnerships, ensuring decisions protect national interests against potential U.S. policy reversals.
• As India continues to import necessary defense equipment, maintaining strategic autonomy and avoiding excessive dependency is crucial.

The article underscores the need for a balanced approach in India's defense partnerships, emphasizing the importance of strategic autonomy and caution against dependencies that could limit India's geopolitical maneuverability.