India’s Defence 2024: In the past year, India has made significant advancements in its defense sector, focusing on modernization and bolstering indigenous production capabilities.
The Indian Armed Forces, consisting of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, have seen key developments, such as the induction of advanced Predator drones and the establishment of a domestic manufacturing facility for the C-295 aircraft. These steps are part of India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its military assets and reduce reliance on foreign imports.
According to Indiatvnews, India’s defense exports have experienced remarkable growth, increasing by 78% in the first quarter of FY 2024-25, reaching Rs 6,915 crore.
This surge reflects the country’s push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing. With a target to achieve Rs 50,000 crore in defense exports within the next five years, India is positioning itself as a significant player in the global defense market. These achievements highlight India’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities and contributing to global security.
India’s Defence 2024
India-U.S. Defence Collaboration
In October 2024, India signed a landmark agreement with the United States to acquire 31 armed MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian drones.
In October 2024, India and the United States formalized a significant defense agreement valued at approximately ₹34,500 crore (around $4 billion) for the procurement of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones.
This deal, which was initiated in 2028, aims to enhance India’s surveillance and intelligence capabilities, especially in the strategically crucial Indian Ocean Region. The drones will significantly boost India’s ability to monitor maritime activities, providing real-time intelligence and reconnaissance support for military operations.
According to the terms of the contract, the drones will be delivered over a span of four years, with the Indian Navy receiving 15 of the 31 drones, while the Army and the Indian Air Force will each receive eight. This acquisition marks a major step in India’s efforts to modernize its defense infrastructure and strengthen its military capabilities.
India-Germany Defence Cooperation
In October 2024, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited India to enhance defense ties, marking a significant step in strengthening the bilateral relationship. During his visit, both countries emphasized the importance of expanding defense cooperation, particularly in joint military projects. According to APNews, one of the key highlights of the visit was the emphasis on the future role of defense collaboration, with both sides expressing their commitment to deeper engagement in this area.
This included the participation of German units in India’s “Tarang Shakti 2024” military exercise, a first for Germany, which marked an important milestone in military cooperation. Additionally, Germany is actively competing for India’s Project 75(I), a program to build six advanced submarines with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems.
This competition, which also involves Spain, reflects Germany’s intent to modernize India’s submarine fleet. The visit underscored both nations’ desire to elevate their strategic partnership, particularly in defense and technology, with discussions expected to lead to more collaborative projects in the future.
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Induction of C-295 Aircraft into the Indian Air Force
In October 2024, the Indian Air Force (IAF) began receiving the C-295 aircraft from Airbus’s facility in Spain. The Air Force had delivered six aircraft by the time. These aircraft will replace the aging Avro fleet and significantly enhance the IAF’s tactical airlift capabilities.
The C-295 is renowned for its versatility, as it can transport troops and equipment to remote locations, conduct medical evacuations, and participate in disaster response operations. The IAF’s operational efficiency and ability to respond to various humanitarian needs will greatly improve with the induction of the C-295.
Induction of the ‘Akashteer’ System
The Indian Army began inducting the ‘Akashteer’ system, an automated Air Defense Control and Reporting System (ADCRS) developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). This system is designed to enhance situational awareness and control by integrating surveillance assets and radar systems, thus bolstering the army’s air defense capabilities. The Indian Army successfully acquired 100 units of the Akashteer system by September 2024.
These systems provide crucial protection against aerial threats, including missile and rocket attacks, strengthening India’s defense infrastructure. The journey of acquiring these systems began in March 2023 when BEL was awarded the contract to produce them, with the first Akashteer system delivered to the Army in March 2024.
India-Russia Defence Engagement
In December 2024, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Moscow to attend the 21st session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC). According to Reuters, During his visit, Minister Singh met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, conveying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm greetings.
The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, including expediting the delivery of S-400 air defence systems, improving maintenance of Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft, and expanding joint production of AK-203 rifles. Minister Singh emphasized that the India-Russia relationship is strong and has lived up to the responsibilities of a special and privileged strategic partnership.
Approval of Surveillance Satellite Project
In a major move to enhance India’s space-based surveillance capabilities, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved a Rs 27,000 crore project for the development and launch of 52 surveillance satellites. The project will see the creation of 21 satellites by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), while 31 will be developed by private companies.
This initiative aims to provide India with round-the-clock monitoring of both land and sea domains, improving the nation’s ability to track and respond to emerging security challenges. The satellite project marks a significant step in India’s efforts to strengthen its space-based defense infrastructure.
