In a major push toward self-reliance in military hardware, India has taken another decisive step to curb reliance on foreign defence suppliers. The Department of Defence Production, operating under the Ministry of Defence, has officially released the sixth Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) comprising 405 strategically vital defence items. This newly notified batch carries an estimated cumulative business value of approximately ₹3,070 crore. The initiative mandates that the design, development, and production of these specific items take place domestically, significantly reducing future import dependence across key military platforms including helicopters, fighter jets, armored vehicles, missile networks, and defence electronics.
Allocation for DPSUs and the Indian Coast Guard
According to official details provided by the ministry, out of the total 405 items included in the new list, 16 items pertain specifically to the Indian Coast Guard. The remaining 389 items belong to various Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). The scope of products earmarked for domestic production is broad, encompassing critical line replacement units, sub-systems, sub-assemblies, spare parts, components, and raw materials used across various complex weapon systems and strategic platforms. This indigenisation drive directly impacts equipment used by the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
Key Focus on Fighter Jets, Armoured Vehicles, and Missiles
The latest notification covers vital spares and components for several premier military aircraft and helicopters currently operational with the armed forces. Key aerial platforms in focus include the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), and assemblies related to the AL-31FP engine. Localising components for these platforms is expected to boost fleet serviceability and reduce long-term maintenance bottlenecks.
On the ground combat front, essential components for heavy armoured platforms have been incorporated into the list. These include critical spares for main battle tanks such as the T-72 and T-90, as well as the BMP-2 infantry combat vehicle. In addition, key components for precision missile systems including Konkurs-M, Invar, and the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) will now be produced domestically. High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) ammunition and other essential ordnance items are also part of this phase.
Enhancing Domestic Capabilities in Defence Electronics
Defence electronics forms another core pillar of this indigenisation measure. The sixth list mandates the local production of advanced military equipment such as radar systems, sonar units, fire control systems, and satellite communication equipment. By transitioning the manufacturing of these sensitive technologies to domestic firms, India aims to build a robust, tamper-proof defence electronics ecosystem within the country.
Empowering MSMEs and Private Defense Industry
To ensure systematic implementation, an indicative timeframe has been fixed for the indigenisation of each item on the list. Once domestic development and testing are successfully completed, procurement for these items will be made exclusively from Indian vendors. Both DPSUs and the Indian Coast Guard will execute this indigenisation through internal manufacturing and strategic partnerships with domestic enterprises. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) along with defence startups are set to gain substantial procurement opportunities through this process.
Track Record of Srijan Portal and Import Substitution
The structured indigenisation effort relies heavily on the Srijan defence portal, which was launched in August 2020. The portal acts as a bridge, allowing Indian industry players to explore and develop defence items currently imported from abroad. By June 2026, DPSUs and Service Headquarters have uploaded over 33,000 defence items onto the portal for industry participation, including 5,012 items previously listed under the first five positive indigenisation lists.
Over the past five years, India's defence sector has successfully indigenised more than 15,700 defense items. This achievement has already resulted in an import substitution value of approximately ₹9,000 crore. Furthermore, DPSUs have issued procurement orders worth around ₹10,000 crore to domestic vendors up to March 2026, including internal production tasks. The launch of this sixth list is expected to further catalyze domestic investments, spur innovation, and secure defence supply chains.
