The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is set to undertake a sweeping review of all military procurement processes to identify and eliminate Chinese-origin components from equipment supplied to the Indian armed forces. The initiative comes amid growing national security concerns and aims to enhance the integrity of the country’s defense manufacturing ecosystem.
Despite existing regulations prohibiting the use of Chinese parts in critical defense platforms, recent findings suggest that some vendors may still be using components sourced from China, often routed through third countries. The review, as part of the government’s 2025 defence reforms, will focus especially on high-risk sectors like drones and anti-drone systems.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the MoD plans to appoint an external agency to audit indigenous content claims, assess supply chain dependencies, and evaluate the cost structures and technology transfers involved in defense projects. The agency will also probe potential underquoting of development costs by vendors and examine issues related to patent ownership.
At a recent forum, Major General C.S. Mann, Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau, reiterated the Army’s commitment to eliminating Chinese components from its inventory. He emphasized that reducing dependency on foreign—particularly Chinese—components remains a strategic priority.
In line with this policy, the Army is also working to support Indian manufacturers capable of producing critical components domestically under the “Make in India” initiative. This move is expected to significantly boost indigenous defense capabilities while reducing reliance on vulnerable global supply chains.
The urgency of the review has increased since Operation Sindoor, during which Chinese components were flagged in frontline equipment. In February 2025, the MoD cancelled a major drone procurement deal after it was found to involve Chinese parts, citing potential national security threats.
With this latest initiative, the Ministry aims to ensure that all future procurements meet the highest standards of national security and self-reliance, aligning with India’s long-term strategic goals.
