Munish Kumar Gaur,Advocate & Former Bureaucrat

The sovereignty, security, and global standing of any nation depend upon its military capability, strategic clarity, and political will. Over the past decade, the transformation witnessed in India’s defence sector has not merely been a series of policy reforms; it marks a decisive shift in national consciousness. After 2014, under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government steered India’s defence policy away from hesitation and delay toward decisiveness, speed, and self-reliance.

The recent approval for the acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter aircraft is considered the largest defence deal in India’s history , represents the culmination of this transformation. This decision underscores the reality that in modern warfare, air superiority plays a decisive role.

In an international environment marked by political, commercial, and diplomatic upheaval, strengthening the velocity and strength of India’s air power is a necessity, not a luxury. India’s decision to adopt the Rafale fighter was not driven by political symbolism but was a strategic response to decades-long capability deficits and operational gaps. A fact-based review reveals that in 2016, the Indian Air Force faced an urgent operational requirement for 36 Rafale aircraft. This was followed in 2025 by the induction of 26 Rafale-M aircraft for the Indian Navy (for aircraft carrier operations), and now in 2026, approval has been granted for 114 additional Rafale fighters under the Make in India framework.

The cumulative value of these deals is estimated at approximately ₹4 lakh crore. Collectively, they strengthen India’s air strategy for the next three decades. Crucially, this is not a mere import arrangement. Indian companies such as Tata Advanced Systems are now integral to Rafale fuselage manufacturing, maintenance, and the supply chain. In essence, technology is coming to India – not just aircraft.

One must ask why was India’s military preparedness weak earlier ? Prior to 2014, India’s defence readiness suffered from serious challenges – chronic decision-making delays, policy paralysis, inadequate budgetary allocation, 65 to 70% dependence on imports, and minimal private-sector participation. The much-debated MMRCA plan for 126 fighter aircraft remained stalled for years, while the Indian Air Force’s squadron strength fell to dangerously low levels. This was not merely an issue of corruption; it reflected strategic indecision and an aversion to risk.

India’s defence budget has since journeyed from neglect to priority. The NDA government treated national security not as expenditure but as investment. The defence budget increased from ₹2.53 lakh crore in 2013–14 to ₹6.81 lakh crore in 2024–25 , nearly a threefold rise. This ensured uninterrupted modernization, acquisition of new technologies, and sustained combat readiness of the armed forces.

India’s leap in indigenous defence production is now well recognized. After 2014, structural reforms transformed domestic defence manufacturing. Indigenous defence production rose from ₹46,000 crore in 2013-14 to ₹1,50,000 crore in 2024-25. Today, India is capable of producing advanced systems such as HAL Tejas, BrahMos missiles, Akash air defence systems, Arjun tanks, ATAGS artillery guns, helicopters, warships, and radar systems. Over 65% of defence capital procurement is now sourced domestically, a reversal from the earlier import-dominated model.

India is no longer merely an importer but is steadily emerging as a defence exporter. Defence exports grew from ₹686 crore in 2013-14 to ₹23,622 crore in 2024-25 , a 34-fold increase. India now exports defence equipment, ammunition, missile sub-systems, radars, naval vessels, aircraft, and security systems to over 100 countries. This surge reflects the global acceptance of Indian defence products as world-class.

Strategically, India has firmly established itself on the global stage. The NDA government’s defence policy rests on four pillars – military preparedness, indigenous production, global competitiveness, and strategic autonomy. India is no longer focused solely on self-defence; it is increasingly assuming the role of a security provider in the Indo-Pacific region.

The past decade, which fundamentally reshaped India’s defence trajectory, will be remembered internationally as a period of confidence, foresight, restraint, resolve, and valor. Today, India stands reflected as a nation of rising power and prestige. The post-2014 era represents a renaissance in India’s defence vision. The Rafale deals, enhanced budgets, rapidly expanding indigenous production, and historic export growth together demonstrate that this transformation is not rhetorical, it is proven by data.

This is not merely praise for a political dispensation; it is a national achievement , one that every citizen who places India’s security, sovereignty, and dignity above all else can rightfully appreciate.