BRIG HEMANT MAHAJAN NATIONAL SECURITY: 1. Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Indigenisation Milestones-2025

Friday, 2 January 2026

The push for self-reliance achieved historic figures this year, with a focus on high-tech platforms and essential supplies:

Ammunition Independence: The Indian Army reached a major milestone by indigenising 91% of its ammunition inventory (159 out of 175 variants), significantly insulating the force from global supply chain disruptions.
Aviation Power: 2025 saw the completion of the AH-64E Apache induction for the Army Aviation Corps and a massive order of 156 LCH Prachand helicopters. The government also approved the execution model for the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), India’s 5th-generation stealth fighter.
Naval Strength: The commissioning of INS Surat (Project 15B) and INS Vaghsheer (Project 75) marked the successful completion of major indigenous warship and submarine programs.
Production & Exports: Total defense production reached an all-time high of ₹1.51 lakh crore, while exports touched ₹23,622 crore, with Indian-made systems now reaching over 100 countries.

2. Strategic Missile Testing: Pinaka and BrahMos

The year was bookended by critical tests that showcased India's precision strike capabilities:

Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR): On December 29, 2025, the DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Pinaka LRGR at Chandipur. This new variant extends the strike range to 120 km with high precision, with future plans to reach 300 km.
BrahMos Combat Launch: On December 1, 2025, a BrahMos unit from the Southern Command, in coordination with the Andaman and Nicobar Command, executed a successful combat launch in the Bay of Bengal. The test validated the missile's terminal accuracy and high-speed stability under simulated battle conditions.

3. Operational Highlights: Operation Sindoor

The most defining operational moment of 2025 was Operation Sindoor, launched in May following the Pahalgam terror attack:

Precision Strikes: The Army and IAF coordinated to destroy nine terrorist camps across the border using indigenous precision-guided munitions.
Escalation Control: The operation was noted for being "calibrated and time-bound," effectively restoring deterrence without leading to a full-scale war. It culminated in a ceasefire request from Pakistan's DGMO by May 10.
Anti-Drone Success: For the first time, integrated indigenous counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) technologies were used to neutralize retaliatory drone threats between May 7 and May 10, preventing any damage to military or civilian assets.