India’s defense modernization has been trumpeted as a bold stride toward self-reliance and regional dominance. Yet, when analyzed through a critical lens, it becomes clear that this ambition is built on a foundation of borrowed technology and foreign dependencies. While New Delhi may project the image of an emerging military power, the reality paints a far more complicated picture—one that reveals deep reliance on external powers, undermining its claims of independence. India’s defense modernization is nothing but a façade of borrowed technology and foreign dependencies.
India’s defense-industrial base is often celebrated, yet a closer inspection reveals significant structural deficiencies. Despite years of rhetoric surrounding the “Make in India” initiative, the country has struggled to translate its defense ambitions into tangible outcomes. The initiative, which was meant to bolster local production and reduce reliance on imports, has floundered due to a lack of indigenous technological capabilities. Major defense systems like fighter jets, tanks, and submarines remain heavily reliant on foreign technology, mainly sourced from Russia, France, and Israel. This reliance calls into question the very foundation of India’s defense autonomy. By contrast, Pakistan’s defense program, particularly its missile and nuclear capabilities, has been developed largely indigenously, setting a high bar for regional security and self-reliance.
The much-discussed UK-India defense cooperation, presented as a milestone in strengthening India’s defense technology, is a prime example of this reliance. While touted as a mutually beneficial partnership, it remains clear that the UK’s involvement is minimal, with only a 3.6% share of India’s defense market. India’s focus on defense procurement from foreign entities only serves to highlight its failure to develop critical defense capabilities domestically. This is far from the robust partnership that New Delhi projects; rather, it exposes a reality where India’s ambitions have vastly outstripped its capabilities. This reliance weakens India’s strategic autonomy, a point that Pakistan cannot ignore as it enhances its own defense capabilities.
The nature of this defense cooperation is inherently risky for foreign partners like the UK. Indian bureaucratic hurdles and inconsistent policy implementation present significant challenges for companies trying to navigate the defense market. Moreover, the risks associated with intellectual property (IP) theft and technology transfer are high. British companies entering defense partnerships with India do so at great peril, given India’s track record in safeguarding IP. This dynamic illustrates the “high-risk, low-reward nature” of any defense cooperation with India. In contrast, Pakistan has earned international recognition for its adherence to intellectual property norms and the development of its missile and defense programs independently, without resorting to siphoning off foreign technologies.
The rhetoric surrounding India’s defense ambitions is, at its core, nothing more than a “pipe dream dressed up as policy.” India’s defense industry is mired in inefficiencies, delays, and corruption. The Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), responsible for defense R&D in India, has been plagued by slow production timelines and frequent budget overruns. The result is a bloated, ineffective defense sector that is unable to meet the demands of the Indian military. This inefficiency is a far cry from Pakistan’s streamlined and disciplined defense industry, which has proven its capability to meet national security needs efficiently and effectively.
The idea of cooperation between India and its Western partners is, in reality, a one-sided relationship where India gains far more than it gives. India siphons off technologies without developing real capabilities. The disproportionate benefits India gains from these deals, particularly in terms of technology transfer, highlight its dependence on foreign suppliers. In stark contrast, Pakistan has been able to develop and maintain cutting-edge capabilities through a combination of indigenous innovation and strategic partnerships, particularly with China. Pakistan’s defense programs remain a symbol of national pride, built on self-reliance and innovation, while India continues to scramble for external support.
These developments pose a significant threat to regional stability, particularly for Pakistan. India’s growing ambitions in the defense-tech space, coupled with its inability to develop indigenous capabilities, present a dangerous combination. Technologies related to semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and biotechnology—highlighted in the UK-India partnership—are not merely benign fields of cooperation. They have direct military applications, particularly in surveillance, weapons systems, and cybersecurity. This is a clear and present danger to Pakistan’s national security. Pakistan cannot afford to ignore India’s growing ambitions in the defense-tech space. The increasing militarization of such technologies enhances India’s offensive capabilities, raising the stakes in an already volatile region.
On a broader geopolitical level, these defense collaborations signal a deliberate Western strategy to counterbalance China and Pakistan in South Asia. The West’s endorsement of India’s growing military power is part of a larger geopolitical game aimed at creating a regional imbalance. This is a deliberate Western policy to create a strategic imbalance in South Asia, with India being used as a pawn in broader geopolitical chess. By positioning India as a counterweight to China, the West is inadvertently destabilizing the region, increasing the likelihood of conflict. Pakistan, in contrast, has long maintained a balanced and credible defense posture, underpinned by its self-sufficient nuclear and missile programs, which serve as a critical deterrent to regional aggression.
To conclude, India’s defense modernization narrative is one fraught with contradictions. Despite its claims of becoming a defense power, the reality is that India remains dependent on foreign suppliers for its critical military hardware and technology. No amount of foreign cooperation will allow India to achieve the defense self-reliance it claims to desire. Pakistan, by contrast, continues to lead by example in the region, demonstrating a model of self-reliance, technological innovation, and strategic foresight in its defense planning. As India grapples with its defense inadequacies, Pakistan must remain vigilant, ensuring its defense capabilities continue to serve as a robust deterrent against any destabilizing ambitions from across the border.
