The Indian Army has made major progress in becoming self-reliant when it comes to ammunition. Today, almost 90% of its ammunition needs are met through Indian manufacturers, reducing the earlier dependence on imported supplies. This big push for indigenisation is changing the way the Army prepares for both short-term and long-term combat readiness.
The Army uses nearly 200 different kinds of ammunition, ranging from small arms like pistols and rifles to heavy systems such as artillery guns, rockets like Pinaka, and even advanced missiles like BrahMos. Ammunition is also used by the Army’s aviation wing, making it a crucial part of overall operational strength.
Policy reforms and the private sector role
This achievement has been made possible because of major policy reforms and closer engagement with the private sector. These steps have encouraged Indian companies to take a larger role in defence manufacturing. As a result, a majority of the Army’s ammunition is now being made domestically.
For the remaining 10% that is still imported, the Army is working to develop “Make in India” alternatives. A good example is the Excalibur precision-guided artillery ammunition, which was successfully used in Operation Sindoor and is currently imported from the US. Efforts are now underway to develop similar precision ammunition within the country.
Boost to domestic industry
Over the past four to five years, the Army has restructured its procurement process to promote competition and allow multiple suppliers. This has helped create a healthy domestic market for ammunition manufacturing.
At present, ammunition orders worth around ₹16,000 crore are with Indian manufacturers. In the last three years alone, the Army has placed ammunition supply orders worth nearly ₹26,000 crore with indigenous companies.
Having multiple domestic vendors has not only improved production quality but also ensured that there are backup suppliers in case of disruptions. This diversification has strengthened the resilience of the Army’s ammunition supply chain.
Towards a self-reliant future
India’s security scenario today is full of uncertainties, from shifting global alignments to rapid technological changes. In such an environment, being ready for any crisis means more than just having modern weapons; it also means having the ability to sustain long-term operations. This can only happen if ammunition, spare parts, and logistics are available locally.
Recognising this, the Army has made self-reliance in ammunition production a key part of its preparedness strategy. The momentum built in the past few years, especially after Operation Sindoor, is now shaping a stronger base for the future.
In the coming years, the focus will be on deepening these gains by strengthening domestic raw material supply chains, especially for key components like propellants and fuzes. The Army also plans to modernise manufacturing infrastructure, speed up technology transfers, and maintain strict quality controls. These collective efforts aim to build a truly robust and self-sustaining ammunition ecosystem for India’s defence forces.
