India Strikes Back: The Rise of Self-Reliance in Defence and the Challenge to US Arms Lobby

Poonam Sharma 

India’s Defence Roar: Self-Reliance Rising, Washington Watching . A silent revolution is underway in India’s defence ecosystem—and it’s beginning to shake the very foundations of the global arms order. For decades, New Delhi was seen as a loyal buyer in the billion-dollar defence bazaar dominated by American and European military-industrial giants. But those days are over.

India is not just buying weapons anymore. It’s buying technology. It’s demanding source codes. It’s refusing to remain a mere consumer. And behind this new aggression is a bold diplomatic posture, a thriving indigenous industry, and a warning shot fired straight at the US arms lobby by none other than India’s ambassador to Washington, Vikram Misri.

No More ‘Buyer Only’ Deals – The Source Code Revolution

The turning point came when India realized that simply purchasing high-end weapons without access to their source codes or the freedom to modify them made its forces vulnerable. Whether it’s fighter jets, missile systems, or drones, the dependency on foreign servers for operational updates made India strategically handicapped.

Recent reports confirm that India now demands Technology Transfer (ToT), local co-production, licensing rights, and even the ability to pay in Indian Rupees. If a country fails to comply, India is ready to walk away. Gone are the days of silent acceptance.Russia’s All-In Offer vs. US Restrictions

Russia has openly agreed to co-produce and co-develop military platforms with India. It’s even willing to offer source codes, IP rights, and export freedom—a package unheard of from the Americans. India has been offered tech for producing up to 130 Sukhoi aircrafts, and Russia is even ready to help develop India’s indigenous Kaveri engine.

In contrast, the United States continues to restrict critical tech access. If you want to use American weapons, you need American permission—for operations, upgrades, even for storage. And that’s precisely what India is now rejecting.

Vikram Misri’s Message: “No More Dirty Games”

India’s top diplomat in the US, Vikram Misri, is reported to have made it crystal clear: If America wants India’s defence partnership, it must honor its agreements. Technology transfer, co-development, and local production are non-negotiable.

Misri reportedly warned US officials that India will not tolerate backtracking on defence commitments. The message was loud and clear—if the US fails to keep its promises, India has other options: Russia, France, and more importantly, its own growing defence industry.

HAL Tejas: The Flagbearer of Indian Engineering

In a major development, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has handed over a prototype of the Tejas MK2 fighter aircraft, designed and produced in collaboration with Indian MSMEs. The Hyderabad-based company responsible for the prototype marks a shift where HAL no longer builds everything in-house but empowers Indian suppliers.

Currently, HAL can produce up to 16 aircrafts per year, and efforts are on to increase production capacity. The first Center of Excellence for Tejas MK1A has already been established, and Tejas MK2 testing begins early next year.

Kaveri Engine: Almost There

India’s indigenous Kaveri engine program is showing serious progress. With testing ongoing in Asia and thrust capability reaching 81 kN, it is nearing operational status. Modifications are underway to make it fit for unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) like Ghatak.

In a major strategic move, India is in parallel talks with both France and Russia for collaborative input—while ensuring full control and no tech black-boxing. India’s defence roadmap clearly states: No trust, no deal.

US Caught Off-Guard – No More Pakistan Equations

Adding fuel to the fire, the US recently attempted to bracket India and Pakistan on the same platform in certain statements—a move that India strongly objected to. This outdated equivalence, reminiscent of the Cold War, is no longer acceptable.

India has also warned that if the US cannot provide clarity and commitment, even military exercises like Malabar could be re-evaluated. India isn’t bluffing—it has alternatives and is building more every day.

Triple Strategy: Build, Buy Smart, Be Bold

India is now playing a triple-card strategy:

1. Build: Through HAL, DRDO, and private players like L&T and Bharat Forge, India is building its own weapons—aircrafts, drones, and now even indigenous engines.
2. Buy Smart: Deals with foreign players are no longer about quantity but quality, transparency, and control. Every deal is strategic, every clause inspected.
3. Be Bold: Diplomats like Vikram Misri are not mincing words. India is demanding respect, not dependency.

The Game Has Changed

Defence isn’t just about weapons anymore—it’s about sovereignty, leverage, and freedom. India has drawn a red line: No tech, no talk. And the world is taking notice.

As the US arms lobby recalibrates, India marches ahead—assertive, prepared, and determined to never again be held hostage by someone else’s trigger.

The message to the world? This is New India. And New India doesn’t buy silence—it builds power