Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said every defense component must be manufactured in India to achieve true self-reliance for the military.
This push for total domestic production is critical because it reduces India's vulnerability to foreign supply chain disruptions. By eliminating dependence on external suppliers for critical parts, the Indian Air Force aims to secure its operational readiness during geopolitical instability.
Speaking July 30, 2026 [1], during a Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) joint workshop in Delhi, the Air Force chief said the Atmanirbhar vision is necessary. He said the strategy for national security requires a comprehensive approach to manufacturing where no single part is sourced from abroad.
"... every brick has to be made in India," Singh said [2].
The call for domestic production extends beyond the assembly of aircraft to the smallest individual components. Singh said achieving this level of autonomy is the only way to ensure that the military is not reliant on the goodwill or political stability of other nations for essential supplies.
The workshop in Delhi served as a forum for industry leaders and military officials to discuss the integration of local manufacturing into the broader defense strategy. The IAF chief's message signals a shift toward a more aggressive pursuit of indigenous capabilities across all levels of the defense industrial base [1].
By focusing on the smallest units of production, the military seeks to create a resilient ecosystem of local vendors. This approach is intended to foster innovation within the Indian private sector, and simultaneously strengthen the security of the nation's airspace [2].
“Every brick has to be made in India.”
The emphasis on 'every brick' suggests that the Indian Air Force is moving beyond the assembly of foreign-designed platforms toward deep-tier indigenous manufacturing. This strategy aims to mitigate the risk of sanctions or diplomatic disputes that could freeze the supply of critical spare parts, effectively transitioning India from a buyer of defense technology to a self-sustaining producer.
