India has recently restricted domestic manufacturers of military drones from using components produced in China due to security concerns, based on four defence and industry officials and documents examined by Reuters.
The move comes amid rising tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, as India pursues a military modernisation strategy that includes increased use of unmanned quadcopters, long-endurance systems, and other autonomous platforms.
India’s Decision
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS), often known as drones, have become essential to modern military operations because of their adaptability and strategic significance. They may be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence gathering, target identification, and even precise strikes.
While the emerging Indian industry seeks to meet the needs of the military, defence and industry leaders are concerned that Chinese-made parts in drones’ communication functions, cameras, radio transmission, and operating software may undermine intelligence gathering, as reported by Reuters.
According to minutes gathered by the media house, during two meetings in February and March to discuss drone contracts, Indian military officials advised potential bidders that equipment or subcomponents from “countries sharing land borders with India will not be acceptable for security reasons.” This action aligns with the implementation of gradual import limitations on surveillance drones since 2020.
Further, a senior military official told Reuters that the reference to adjacent nations was a euphemism for China, and that despite concerns about cyberattacks, Indian industry had become dependent on the world’s second-largest economy.
The decision by the Indian government to prohibit domestic manufacturers from using Chinese components demonstrates the country’s commitment to improving its defence infrastructure and safeguarding the integrity and security of its military technology.
#India in recent months has barred domestic manufacturers of #militarydrones from using components made in #China over concerns about security vulnerabilities, according to four defence and industry officials and documents reviewed by Reuters.https://t.co/8JFZHGjQ82
— The Telegraph (@ttindia) August 8, 2023
Increased Manufacturing Cost
India reportedly intends to set aside 1.6 trillion rupees ($19.77 billion) for military modernisation in 2023-24, with domestic manufacturing receiving 75% of the funds. However, the new restriction on Chinese parts has increased the cost of manufacturing military drones in the US by requiring manufacturers to find components elsewhere, according to government and industry experts.
According to Sameer Joshi, the founder of Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research and Technologies, which provides the Indian military with small drones, 70% of the products in the supply chain are manufactured in China.
Joshi noted that switching to a non-Chinese pipeline has caused prices to rise significantly. He said that some businesses continued to import materials from China but would “white-label it, and kind of keep the costs within that frame.”
Technological Constraints
India wants to improve its drone capabilities by developing its systems. However, the government now relies on foreign producers for some types of drones and drone components.
For instance, technological constraints and supply chain gaps have delayed a government-backed programme, “Tapas,” to develop an indigenous Medium Altitude Long Endurance unmanned system by at least a decade.
Washington:— Indian PM Modi visit to US. Important defense agreements:
— South Asia Index (@SouthAsiaIndex) June 23, 2023
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Apart from Tapas, which is set to begin military testing this month, the Aeronautical Development Establishment is developing stealth unmanned and High-Altitude Long Endurance platforms, both years away.
Drone specialist R.K. Narang of the government’s Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses stated that “there has to be a coherent national strategy to fill the technology gaps” to develop commercially viable products.
To address these gaps, India said in June that it would purchase 31 MQ-9 drones from the US for more than $3 billion.