Defence indigenisation

In the news

• Defence Ministry signs ₹53,866 crore contracts for eight Navy-designed corvettes 3 November 2026 · The Hindu

  Navy designers drew the ships, two public shipyards bid to build them. What does that say about Aatmanirbhar warships?

• Defence Acquisition Council clears ₹2.12 lakh crore of proposals, 82% from Indian industry 27 October 2026 · The Hindu

  Drones, decoys and helicopters worth ₹2.12 lakh crore: what does a DAC 'approval' actually commit India to?

• Navy gets first nod for ₹2.41 lakh crore of new platforms, readies Swavlamban 2026 20 October 2026 · The Hindu

  78 platforms cleared and 4,000 start-up ideas in the pipeline: can the Navy build what it needs at home, and fast?

• INS Samarthak, an L&T-built multi-purpose vessel, is commissioned into the Navy at Karwar 17 October 2026 · The Hindu

  A private yard built it, three-fourths of it is Indian, and it can launch drones at sea. What does INS Samarthak add?

Key facts

• On 2 November 2026 the Defence Ministry signed ₹53,866.50 crore contracts for eight Next Generation Corvettes. (3 November 2026)
• GRSE (Kolkata) will build five and Goa Shipyard Limited three; both are defence public sector undertakings chosen through competition. (3 November 2026)
• On 26 October 2026 the DAC granted AoN to proposals worth about ₹2.12 lakh crore; about 82% will be procured from Indian industry. (27 October 2026)
• AoN is in-principle approval of a requirement and the first step in capital acquisition; tenders, trials, negotiations and contracts follow. (27 October 2026)
• The Navy has AoN for 78 ships and submarines and 120 fast interceptor craft worth about ₹2.41 lakh crore; 42 vessels are already on order. (20 October 2026)
• RFPs have been issued for four landing platform docks and the next-generation frigate; integrated full electric propulsion for the LPDs will be developed with the UK. (20 October 2026)
• INS Samarthak was commissioned at the Karwar naval base on 16 October 2026, with Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan presiding. (17 October 2026)
• It was built by L&T at Kattupalli near Chennai and has more than 75% indigenous content. (17 October 2026)

Previous-year questions

1. 2026 · GS2 · 10 marks "IPMDA (Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness) bridges the gap between India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the Quad's collective Indo-Pacific strategy." Make a critical…
2. 2024 · GS3 · 15 marks India has a long and troubled border with China and Pakistan fraught with contentious issues. Examine the conflicting issues and security challenges along the border. Also give out the development being undertaken in…
3. 2022 · GS3 · 10 marks What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve maritime security.
4. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marks 'Success of 'Make in India' programme depends on the success of 'Skill India' programme and radical labour reforms.' Discuss with logical arguments.
5. 2014 · GS3 · 12.5 marks Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the defence sector is now set to be liberalized: What influence this is expected to have on Indian defence and economy in the short and long run?
6. 2014 · GS3 · 12.5 marks In 2012, the longitudinal marking for high-risk areas for piracy was moved from 65 degrees east to 78 degrees east in the Arabian Sea by the International Maritime Organisation. What impact does this have on India's…