India’s Quest for Self Reliance in Defence Sector: Evidences and Lessons from China

Abstract

This paper explores China’s efforts to modernise and indigenise its military hardware by using technology or components imported from Russia. The objective is to derive lessons and directions that India can utilize for attaining self reliance in defence production. Relevant literature on Russian weapons sales to China as well as patterns and trends of China’s defence production since the early 1990s was analysed. The paper found that India should focus on judicious selection of foreign weapon systems for indigenous production, rapid development of initial prototype for incremental upgrades and maintaining alternative sources for obtaining critical components.