India scraps numerous approved overseas defence buys
The upgrade of Indian tanks like the T-90S will now be done domestically. (Gordon Arthur)
India wants to reduce reliance on overseas-sourced equipment. It is a noble quest, but there are questions over its viability.
India’s MoD has terminated nine overseas projects worth INR466.95 billion ($6.18 billion), to prioritise indigenisation of Indian military equipment.
Junior Defence Minister Ajay Bhatt told parliament on 1 April that local industry would be tasked with designing and developing 18 ‘major platforms’ under the MoD’s self-reliance initiative to reduce imports.
Bhatt did not classify them, nor did he identify, for national security reasons, which programmes had been scrapped.
However, industry officials said they included the purchase of Indian Coast Guard utility helicopters, quick-reaction surface-to-air missiles, VSHORADS, all-terrain vehicles, small arms and upgrades on T-72M1 and T-90S tanks.
The
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Amazon Project Kuiper offers network-centric approach to sovereignty of space systems (Studio)]()
Amazon Project Kuiper offers network-centric approach to sovereignty of space systems (Studio)
Shephard's Alix Valenti interviewed Project Kuiper's Don Brown at DSEI 2025, discussing the company's innovative approach to sovereignty of space communications systems, which focuses on being able to control the network rather than ownership of satellite constellations.
-
![Amazon Project Kuiper emphasises user-friendly solutions for multi-domain connectivity (Studio)]()
Amazon Project Kuiper emphasises user-friendly solutions for multi-domain connectivity (Studio)
At DSEI 2025, Shephard's Alix Valenti spoke to Project Kuiper's Rich Pang about the importance of enabling seamless communication between allied forces such as NATO members in challenging operational environments.
-
![Amazon Project Kuiper teams up with GRC to offer governments unprecedented capabilities (Studio)]()
Amazon Project Kuiper teams up with GRC to offer governments unprecedented capabilities (Studio)
At DSEI 2025, Amazon Project Kuiper's Don Brown and GRC's Steve Slater talked to Shephard's Alix Valenti about how their partnership can offer unique capabilities in defence SATCOM to government customers, with a focus on assurance, security and choice.
-
![DSEI 2025: Raytheon UK CEO highlights RTX skills, innovation and UK footprint]()
DSEI 2025: Raytheon UK CEO highlights RTX skills, innovation and UK footprint
At DSEI 2025, James Gray, Managing Director and CEO of Raytheon UK (part of RTX), outlines the company’s century-long presence in the UK and its evolving role across defence, aerospace, cyber, and training domains.
-
![Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft]()
Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft
The procurement and acceleration production plans – some of which still await approval – across the air and land domains will aim to strengthen the operational needs of the Israel Defense Forces.
-
![US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities]()
US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities
This shift is planned to accelerate the procurement and fielding of capabilities. As part of this strategy, the US also intends modernise its regulations in an attempt to change its bureaucratic and risk-averse culture.
