India's armed forces target full ammunition self-reliance by 2025-end

India’s armed forces are aiming for complete self-reliance in ammunition manufacturing by the end of 2025, a move driven by critical shortages experienced during Operation Sindoor, according to a PTI report. With this target in focus, efforts are being accelerated to strengthen domestic production capacity and reduce dependence on imports for defence requirements.

Ammunition shortage and production capabilities
Speaking on the issue, Lieutenant General Amardeep Singh Aujla, Master General Sustenance of the Indian Army, said, “The first phase is that by 2025 — that is, the end of this year — we should be 100% indigenous for all our needs. But everything I have spoken about does not come without challenges. These challenges today are in terms of our production capacities — what we state and what we actually produce.”

He added that there are also deficiencies in critical raw materials such as propellants, explosives, and fuses. “When we talk about propellants — whether it's NC, NG, single base, double base, triple base, or ball powder — we are falling short. The gap between our requirement and what is being produced is significant. I believe we need to scale it up by about five to six times,” he said.

Defence officials highlight need to boost capacities
Other defence officials have echoed these concerns, pointing out significant shortfalls in both finished ammunition and key raw materials. They noted that these limitations present ongoing challenges to meeting the 2025 indigenization goal. Nevertheless, they reiterated the Army's aim to achieve 100% indigenization across all categories of ammunition by the end of that year.

Government emphasis on self-reliance in manufacturing
Sanjeev Kumar, Defence Secretary (Defence Production), stressed the need to focus on fundamental manufacturing requirements. “When we interacted with the private sector and also the public sector during the month of May, one thing I realized was that many of us are not able to concentrate or focus on the primary ingredients required in manufacturing. Self-reliance is necessary, and that has been the theme of the government for more than a decade. So, self-reliance not only in platforms, not only in technology and other areas of defence requirements, but also in the field of ammunition,” he said.

Global market context and export potential
According to a report by the International Market Analysis Research and Consulting Group, the global ammunition market was valued at USD 25.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 36.1 billion by 2033, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.44%. With this backdrop, India is not only aiming to meet its own military needs but also to tap into export opportunities, ensuring that the country’s defence forces are never again constrained by supply limitations.

(With inputs from PTI)