India’s Defense Strategy: Adapting To A Multipolar Global Order – Analysis
By Dr. Balinder Singh and Dr. Baljinder Kour
India’s defense strategy is evolving to navigate a multipolar world. It balances traditional ties with Russia while expanding partnerships with nations like the U.S., U.K., France, and Israel. This approach highlights India’s focus on maintaining strategic autonomy and safeguarding national security amidst shifting global dynamics.
India’s defense industry has historically been influenced by its colonial legacy, which left a limited indigenous production base and reliance on foreign military supplies. Post-independence, India prioritized self-reliance in defense to address security challenges, establishing public sector enterprises and R&D institutions to develop and produce a wide range of military hardware domestically.
India’s Evolving Defense Strategy from the Cold War to Contemporary Challenges
The Cold War significantly shaped India’s defense strategy. As a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement, India aimed to maintain strategic autonomy by diversifying its defense partnerships. It developed strong ties with the Soviet Union for critical defense technologies while engaging with the United States to access advanced technologies. This period marked a blend of geopolitical, ideological, and pragmatic factors, which laid the foundation for India’s current multi-faceted and pragmatic defense procurement strategy.
India’s defense relationship with Russia remains a cornerstone of their strategic partnership, with growing collaboration in arms sales, joint ventures in defense manufacturing, and technological cooperation. A notable example of this partnership is the commissioning of INS Tushil, a stealth frigate jointly built by India and Russia, in December 2024. Their collaboration also extends to critical areas like nuclear submarine technology, with India leasing nuclear-powered submarines from Russia. However, the ongoing Ukraine war has disrupted the timely delivery of key defense systems, including the S-400 air defense system and Sukhoi fighter jets, raising concerns about potential delays and their impact on India’s defense readiness amidst ongoing border tensions.
India’s Diversified Defense Strategy: Strengthening Partnerships and Reducing Dependence
While India’s defense partnership with Russia remains important, the country has actively diversified its defense sources to reduce risks and gain access to advanced technologies. The United States has become a key defense partner, with increased cooperation in areas like intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism, and joint military exercises. India’s purchase of sophisticated U.S. defense systems, such as C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters in 2019, highlights this growing collaboration. According to SIPRI, the U.S. became the second-largest arms supplier to India between 2019 and 2023, accounting for 9.8% of India’s arms imports.
India has strengthened its defense partnerships with the United Kingdom, Israel, and France, diversifying its sources of military technology and cooperation. The UK plays a key role in defense manufacturing, especially in aircraft carrier construction and advanced jet engines. France, a long-standing partner, has provided India with Rafale fighter jets and collaborated on submarine development, with the 2016 Rafale deal enhancing India’s air power. Israel has been a crucial technology partner, supplying missile systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and advanced weaponry, including air defense systems, missiles, and electronic warfare systems. These collaborations have significantly bolstered India’s defense capabilities.
Over the past decade, data from defense industry sources and government reports indicates a steady rise in India’s defense imports from a variety of countries, reflecting a significant diversification of its defense procurement strategy. While figures vary across sources, it is clear that India has reduced its dependence on any single supplier. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India was the largest arms importer in the world between 2019 and 2023, with Russia accounting for 34% of its arms imports, followed by France (15%) and Israel (11%). This data underscores the growing role of non-Russian suppliers in India’s defense market.
The trajectory of India’s defense industry over the past 25 years is deeply influenced by the country’s shifting geopolitical landscape and socio-economic changes. In the 2000s, rapid economic growth and liberalization provided increased resources for defense modernization, coinciding with rising security concerns such as cross-border terrorism and growing geopolitical competition.
The Kargil War in 1999 highlighted gaps in India’s military capabilities, intensifying the need for modernization. This period saw a surge in defense acquisitions, focusing on advanced technologies and upgrades to existing platforms. Key priorities included acquiring force multipliers like precision-guided munitions, electronic warfare systems, and advanced surveillance capabilities. India also emphasized defense offsets to boost domestic industry and facilitate technology transfer. The need to project power and secure economic interests in the Indian Ocean Region further shaped defense acquisitions, particularly in naval modernization and maritime security.
Strategic Shifts: India’s Evolving Defense Trade and Self-Reliance in the 2020s
In the 2020s, new socio-economic factors are significantly influencing India’s defense trade. The rise of China as a major economic and military power, along with ongoing border tensions and competition in the Indo-Pacific, has heightened India’s security concerns.
The COVID-19 pandemic further underscored the need for self-reliance, particularly in critical sectors like defense. This has led to a renewed focus on “Atmanirbhar Bharat” or self-reliant India, promoting indigenous defense manufacturing, reducing import reliance, and fostering innovation. The government has introduced reforms to boost private sector participation, streamline procurement, and encourage joint ventures with foreign companies. Moreover, the increasing threats of cyberwarfare and the growing importance of space assets have prompted new defense investments in these areas. As India addresses evolving security challenges, its defense trade is evolving to prioritize economic growth, technological self-reliance, and resilience.
India’s multi-faceted approach to defense partnerships serves several strategic objectives. It enhances military capabilities by granting access to advanced technologies and platforms, thereby modernizing India’s defense forces. It also strengthens India’s diplomatic influence, fostering strong relationships with key global players. Additionally, this strategy bolsters India’s role as a regional security provider, enabling the country to effectively address emerging security challenges, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
Navigating India’s complex defense partnerships presents challenges, as balancing competing interests and maintaining strategic autonomy demands skilled diplomacy and a deep understanding of the global geopolitical landscape. India must carefully manage its defense relationships to avoid alienating key partners while ensuring that its defense acquisitions align with its long-term strategic goals. This requires a nuanced approach to protect India’s independence and global standing while securing the technologies and capabilities needed to address evolving security concerns.
Conclusion
India’s defense strategy is evolving in response to a multipolar world, balancing traditional ties with Russia while expanding partnerships with countries like the U.S., U.K., France, and Israel. This strategy aims to enhance military capabilities, maintain strategic autonomy, and address national security needs amidst changing global dynamics. Historically, India’s defense industry was shaped by its colonial legacy and a focus on self-reliance post-independence, leading to the development of indigenous defense production.
The Cold War further influenced India’s strategy, emphasizing diversified partnerships with the Soviet Union and the United States. India’s defense ties with Russia remain crucial, but the country has diversified its sources to mitigate risks and access advanced technologies, particularly through growing engagements with the U.S., which became a significant arms supplier between 2019 and 2023. Additionally, the U.K., France, and Israel have bolstered India’s military capabilities, with a focus on advanced technologies such as fighter jets, missile systems, and electronic warfare. This diversification is reflected in data showing a reduction in reliance on any single supplier.
The trajectory of India’s defense industry over the past 25 years has been shaped by economic growth, rising security concerns, and the need for modernization, especially following the Kargil War. The 2000s saw a surge in defense acquisitions, with a focus on advanced technologies and force multipliers. In the 2020s, emerging challenges, including the rise of China and the COVID-19 pandemic, have reinforced India’s focus on self-reliance through its “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative. This includes promoting indigenous manufacturing, reducing reliance on imports, and investing in emerging areas like cyberwarfare and space.
India’s multi-faceted defense partnerships serve key strategic objectives: enhancing military capabilities, strengthening diplomatic leverage, and bolstering its role as a regional security provider. However, managing these partnerships requires balancing competing interests and maintaining strategic autonomy, demanding a nuanced approach to ensure that India’s defense procurements align with its long-term security and geopolitical goals.
About the authors:
- Dr. Balinder Singh: Former Research Scholar and Academician, Department of Political Science, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala, India.
- Dr. Baljinder Kour: Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, Akal University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, Punjab, India.