India scrutinises components in domestic weapons to remove Chinese technology
The Defence Ministry is examining the origins of electronics and software in military platforms to prevent security vulnerabilities.
The Defence Ministry is examining the origins of electronics, software, sensors, and critical subsystems in military platforms, including those manufactured within India, according to the Times of India. This move aims to address security concerns that components from potentially hostile countries could compromise communications or disrupt military operations.
The government amended the General Financial Rules in July 2020 to restrict public procurement from firms in countries sharing a land border with India. Bidders from such countries, including China, must now register with a competent authority and obtain clearance to participate in government procurement.
In 2023, India barred domestic military drone manufacturers from using Chinese-origin parts such as cameras, software, and communication systems, Reuters reported. In 2024, a procurement for 200 medium-altitude logistics drones was reportedly paused until the manufacturer proved the systems lacked Chinese components.
The Army Design Bureau (ADB) released a draft framework in March 2026 to assess security vulnerabilities in drones, covering hardware, firmware, and software. Additionally, the Army is establishing six AASHVAST laboratories to examine hardware and embedded software for unauthorised access or foreign-origin components, with the first facility already operational in Delhi.
To reduce foreign dependence, the SRIJAN portal launched in August 2020 allows the armed forces to list imported items for indigenisation. A parliamentary committee report in March 2026 stated that more than 15,400 items on the portal have been indigenised.
The draft Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026 proposes increasing the indigenous content requirement under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category from 50% to 60%. However, the defence industry continues to rely on international supply chains for specialised electronics and processors.
