These firms form the backbone of India’s expanding defence industrial base and offer a revealing glimpse into the profound transformation currently reshaping the country’s national security strategy.
India is steadily moving away from its long-standing dependence on foreign arms imports toward a model centred on mastering technology, knowledge, and the full manufacturing chain of defence production. In the eyes of policymakers in New Delhi, this transformation is increasingly viewed as the cornerstone of sovereignty and strategic independence.
The visit was far more than a showcase of military equipment or technological products. It offered a direct window into how the Indian state manages its defence sector—integrating scientific research, strategic partnerships, and private-sector participation within a comprehensive national policy operating under the unmistakable banner of “Made in India.”
What quickly became clear during the tour is that India is no longer content with purchasing weapons systems. Instead, it is building an integrated defence ecosystem grounded in scientific research, domestic manufacturing, private-sector innovation, and the development of sensitive technologies. Together, these elements are designed to strengthen the autonomy of national decision-making.
India’s experience demonstrates that the struggle to master knowledge and technology is no less decisive than the accumulation of conventional military power. “Made in India” is no longer simply a political slogan. It is gradually becoming an industrial reality, reshaping India’s position on the global map of technological and strategic power.
From importing weapons to strategic autonomy
For more than six decades, India ranked among the world’s largest importers of arms. Yet accelerating geopolitical changes and the evolving nature of modern warfare have pushed policymakers in New Delhi to rethink the foundations of the country’s defence doctrine.
The shift underway goes far beyond acquiring new weapons platforms. It reflects a broader ambition: building national industrial capabilities capable of meeting defence requirements independently and sustainably.
From the factories and research centres visited during the tour, it became evident that India’s defence sector is no longer driven primarily by assembly work or licensed production. Instead, the country is moving toward a comprehensive industrial model based on indigenous research and development, domestic engineering design, local manufacturing and testing, and close alignment with the operational needs of the armed forces.
A view of some of the aircraft participating in the Vayu Shakti military exercises.
Bharat Electronics, the backbone of modern power
The tour began at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), one of the pillars of India’s state-owned defence industry. Company officials presented a strategy centred on integrating scientific research, manufacturing capability, and operational application—ensuring that technology becomes an intrinsic part of the combat system rather than a detached product.
Discussions with senior executives revealed a central concept shaping contemporary military thinking: superiority in modern warfare is no longer determined solely by combat platforms such as tanks, ships, or aircraft. Increasingly, it depends on control over radar systems, communication networks, encryption technologies, and command-and-control infrastructures.
Inside BEL’s production facilities, visitors were introduced to a range of advanced systems. These included high-precision radar technologies capable of detecting both aerial and surface targets, locally designed radar antennas, multi-mission military radio networks, and encrypted communication systems linking ships, aircraft, and command centres within a unified operational architecture.
Pillars of contemporary warfare
Within the production lines, particular attention was given to advanced maritime surveillance systems. These radars are designed to track both surface and aerial targets even in complex maritime environments while remaining fully integrated into command-and-control networks.
Visitors also observed the various stages of radar antenna production—from engineering design and materials selection to assembly and testing. Alongside these systems were multi-band military radios capable of supporting voice communication, digital connectivity, and tactical data exchange.
Equally significant were the encrypted communication networks designed to link ships, aircraft, command centres, and search-and-rescue units. Such systems ensure the secure transmission of sensitive data across multiple operational platforms.
These technologies reflect a growing recognition among Indian defence planners that modern warfare is managed as much through information dominance and communication superiority as through conventional firepower.
A view of some of the aircraft participating in the Vayu Shakti military exercises.
Bridging the gap between design and combat
One of the most notable features of the Indian defence model is the close involvement of the armed forces in the development process.
Military personnel participate directly in the design, testing, and evaluation of new technologies. As a result, systems are developed not only in laboratories but also through continuous interaction with operational requirements in the field.
This approach helps ensure higher operational efficiency, accelerates technological adaptation, and significantly reduces the gap that often separates designers from the soldiers who ultimately rely on these systems in real combat conditions.
A view of some of the aircraft participating in the Vayu Shakti military exercises.
NewSpace Research & Technologies
The next stop on the tour was NewSpace Research & Technologies, where unmanned aerial systems represent one of the most dynamic areas of India’s defence innovation.
During the visit, Al-Ahram observed several multi-mission unmanned platforms. These included tethered surveillance drones, logistics drones capable of transporting supplies across remote terrain, rapidly deployable tactical drones, and long-endurance reconnaissance systems that function as low-cost “aerial satellites.”
NewSpace is widely regarded as one of India’s leading companies in the development of unmanned systems. The company reflects the broader transformation underway within the country’s defence innovation ecosystem—one that relies on scientific research, local manufacturing, and practical technological solutions to address modern security and logistics challenges.
Company officials explained that their design philosophy focuses on flexible and customizable platforms combining operational efficiency, relatively low cost, and the ability to function in demanding environments such as deserts, mountainous regions, and coastal areas.
Among the systems presented was Nimbus, a tethered drone designed for persistent surveillance. Powered through a cable that provides continuous electricity and communication links, Nimbus can remain airborne for extended periods without repeated landings. It is used to monitor critical infrastructure, protect military bases, and conduct border surveillance while transmitting real-time imagery and data.
Another platform, Beluga, represents a major step in drone-based logistics. Designed to transport supplies and equipment to remote or difficult locations, it supports both military operations and humanitarian missions while significantly reducing risks to personnel.
The company also showcased additional unmanned systems designed for reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and tactical deployment. Some platforms are optimized for lightweight, rapid deployment by small units, while others offer greater payload capacity and extended operational range.
One of the most advanced concepts presented was a high-altitude pseudo-satellite platform capable of operating for long periods at extreme altitudes. Such systems provide persistent surveillance and communication functions similar to satellites, but at lower cost and with greater operational flexibility.
The visit demonstrated how unmanned technologies are rapidly becoming a central component of modern defence strategies, crisis response mechanisms, and intelligent logistics networks.
Small arms “Made in India” — from design to testing
The tour also included a visit to SSS Defence, highlighting India’s effort to expand private-sector participation in defence manufacturing.
The company is part of an industrial group with decades of experience in advanced engineering. Its entry into the defence sector reflects a broader national push toward investing in research and development and building indigenous intellectual property in small arms, ammunition, and defence technologies.
A tour inside the production and manufacturing lines at SSS Defence.
Inside the company’s facilities, visitors observed modern production lines, specialized firearm-coating technologies, and advanced ballistic testing laboratories capable of evaluating weapon performance according to strict military standards
The company manufactures a range of weapons, including long-range sniper rifles, infantry assault rifles, and specialized firearms designed for military and security forces.
International partnerships also play a role in the company’s development. These collaborations allow for technology transfer and knowledge exchange while preserving local industrial capabilities. This approach is particularly evident in ammunition production, where cooperation with global partners has supported the localization of multi-calibre ammunition manufacturing for India’s armed forces and security agencies.
Astrome Technologies
The final stop of the tour was Astrome Technologies, a company operating at the intersection of academic research, telecommunications engineering, and defence applications.
Founded in 2015 by researchers from the Indian Institute of Science, the company initially focused on high-capacity wireless communication systems designed to bridge digital connectivity gaps. It has since expanded into advanced defence and space communication technologies.
Astrome presented a range of high-capacity communication solutions, including anti-jamming tactical links, high-speed command-and-control networks, and flat ground stations designed for ships and mobile platforms.
Among its flagship technologies is GigaMesh, a multi-beam radio operating in the E-band frequency spectrum. Using digital phased-array antennas and intelligent beam-steering algorithms, the system can connect multiple locations from a single hub at speeds reaching several gigabits per second while maintaining stable connections even under difficult environmental conditions.
Under India’s defence innovation initiative iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence), the company has also developed tactical communication networks designed to resist electronic interference and maintain reliable connectivity in combat environments.
Astrome is now expanding into satellite communications, developing software-defined ground stations and locally manufactured satellite modems that provide greater national control over encryption and signal management while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
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