Opinion: Can Modi’s ‘Make In India’ Defence Succeed In Europe’s Changing Landscape?

Written By :

Last Updated:April 11, 2025, 19:41 IST

The opportunity is present. But seizing it requires navigating a landscape seeped in intense competition, demanding standards, and deep-seated industrial realities

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been vocal about 'Make In India'.

The geopolitical plates have shifted violently from under Europe’s feet. Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine has shattered decades of complacency. It has exposed gaping vulnerabilities and has forced a continent-wide scramble for military rearmament on a scale unseen since the darkest days of the Cold War.

Amid this turmoil, a question, laden with strategic significance, arises: Can India, powered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives, genuinely carve out a meaningful role in Europe’s desperate quest for defence capabilities?

EUROPE’S SCRAMBLE: A WINDOW OPENS

The change in Europe is profound and driven by existential fear. Defence budgets, long stagnant or declining in many nations, are surging as governments rush to replenish depleted stocks and modernise forces neglected during an era where conventional conflict on European soil seemed a relic. The EU is eyeing massive spending programmes, potentially reaching figures like €800 billion, alongside individual nations significantly boosting their contributions, often aiming well above the long-ignored NATO benchmark of 2% of GDP. A fundamental strategic reawakening is born of necessity.

This frantic push is coupled with a dawning realisation of over-dependence, particularly on the United States. Decades of relying on American military hardware and security guarantees, often highlighted by pointed critiques from figures like Donald Trump concerning defence spending contributions, have left European nations scrambling for alternatives. With figures suggesting nearly two-thirds of recent European defence procurement coming from the US, the drive for ‘strategic autonomy’ is no longer just a buzzword in Brussels; it’s becoming a strategic necessity. The need for diversification cannot be understated. And it is needed urgently.

The raw industrial capacity within Europe has been declining along with the political will for rearmament. Even established defence giants struggle to cope with the sheer scale and speed of demand. French aerospace firms face daunting order backlogs; German manufacturers admit they cannot produce artillery shells fast enough to meet the staggering requirements highlighted by the war in Ukraine. Major European land systems companies report order books stretching years into the future. Workforce shortages and constrained production lines mean that even with funding approved, building the necessary hardware takes time – time Europe fears it may not have. This industrial bottleneck creates a genuine, physical space for external partners to step in.

INDIA’S PITCH

Into this breach steps India, armed with a national mission to transform itself from one of the world’s largest arms importers into a significant defence manufacturing and export hub. The ‘Make in India’ initiative is doing just that and the numbers reflect this ambition. Domestic defence production has climbed significantly, reaching figures of Rs 1.27 lakh crore (approx. £13-14 billion) recently, and defence exports, though starting from a lower base, have surged dramatically – recording a remarkable 32.5% growth in the last fiscal year alone to over Rs 21,000 crore (approx. £2.1 billion) and showing exponential growth over the past decade.

So, what can India realistically offer Europe? The portfolio is diversifying beyond simple components. Indian ordnance factories possess capacity for ammunition production, potentially catering to Europe’s urgent need for artillery shells. In addition, companies producing advanced systems like the Akash surface-to-air missile and BrahMos are noted for their cost-effectiveness compared to Western counterparts like the Patriot.

Radars, avionics, electronic warfare suites, and anti-drone systems are emerging from firms like Bharat Electronics and Paras Defence. Collaborations are bearing fruit — the Tata group is manufacturing C295 transport aircraft in Gujarat with Airbus; Safran produces aero-engine parts in Hyderabad; Swedish giant Saab is setting up shop in Haryana to produce its Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system. Belgian company John Cockerill is providing the turret for India’s Zorawar light tank, which was developed for high-altitude warfare, and partnering with Indian firms for local production.

These connections aren’t just hypothetical. France is already a key customer for Indian defence exports. France is among the top three customers of Indian defence equipment. India has urged France to consider purchasing the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system. A defence industrial roadmap was also launched in early 2024 aimed at the co-production of military equipment, critical to Indian indigenous defence.

Belgium has shown marked interest, dispatching high-level delegations and appointing a Defence Attaché in New Delhi. Discussions are ongoing regarding India potentially participating in frameworks like the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), and joining partners like Japan and South Korea. European companies are actively setting up joint ventures and manufacturing facilities within India, drawn by the ‘Make in India’ incentives and the potential of the Indian market itself.

These existing tendrils provide a foundation upon which broader cooperation could be built. Moreover, the recent visit by an EU delegation, back in March, comprising all 27 commissioners, and the Belgian Princess along with their defence minister, underscores the high priority placed by European countries on strengthening strategic ties with India.

Poland, a NATO frontline state, is among the most proactive in exploring Indian options. Already spending heavily on modernisation—$1.5 billion on Swedish Carl Gustaf rifles in 2024—Warsaw is reportedly considering Indian artillery shells and small arms to complement its diverse procurement strategy. Romania, another Eastern European nation bolstering its defences, has shown interest in Akash as a supplement to its French Mistral missiles. Meanwhile, Baltic states like Estonia and Latvia, focused on rapid rearmament, are eyeing Indian ammunition and drones, such as those produced by Solar Industries, to enhance their deterrence posture.

HURDLES ON THE HORIZON

However, enthusiasm must be tempered with a cold dose of reality. The path for Indian defence exports into the heart of Europe is strewn with obstacles. Perhaps, the most significant is the challenge of meeting stringent European and NATO standards, particularly regarding interoperability. European militaries demand equipment that can seamlessly integrate with existing systems and allied forces. Proving that Indian-made platforms meet these exacting technical and quality requirements is a non-negotiable prerequisite, and India’s track record here, while improving, is still under intense scrutiny. Can an Indian radar truly network flawlessly within a NATO air defence system? That’s the litmus test.

Then there’s the question of industrial maturity and scale. While India’s export figures are growing impressively, they remain a fraction of those generated by established global players like the US or even major European exporters like France. Managing complex international supply chains, ensuring long-term maintenance and support, and navigating bureaucratic hurdles – both in India and Europe – will test the limits of India’s defence ecosystem. As one EU official noted regarding Europe’s challenges, the problem isn’t just funding, but “how to build a factory" quickly – a challenge India boasts it can meet faster, but one that needs consistent proof at scale.

THE VERDICT?

The convergence of Europe’s urgent security needs and India’s ‘Make in India’ ambitions creates a moment of genuine opportunity. Europe needs defence hardware, diversification, and cost-effective solutions; India seeks markets, technological partnerships, and validation of its growing industrial capabilities. Synergies, particularly in areas like ammunition, specific missile systems, components, and potentially niche platforms where India can offer a compelling value proposition, are visible.

Yet, success is far from guaranteed. It demands more than political will and industrial aspiration. It requires India to meet the highest international standards, prove its capacity to deliver complex systems reliably and at scale, and navigate a fiercely competitive market. It may mean focusing strategically on specific niches where the Indian industry has a clear advantage, rather than attempting to compete across the board.

Can Modi’s vision translate into tangible European contracts, embedding India into the continent’s defence supply chains? The answer will unfold not in grand pronouncements, but in the hard graft of meeting specifications, delivering on time, and building trust, contract by contract.