Precision, Speed, and Self-Reliance: Core Principles for New-Age Defence Manufacturing

By APN News

May 12, 2025

The following article is attributed to Mr. Sahil Luthra, Founder & CEO Vijayan Trishul Defence Solutions

India’s defence manufacturing story is changing—and it’s changing fast. Gone are the days when we relied heavily on imports or waited years for procurement to catch up with evolving threats. Today, as the nature of warfare shifts—becoming more tech-led, unpredictable, and rapid—it’s clear that our defence production philosophy must evolve too. Three principles are driving this transformation: Precision, Speed, and Self-Reliance. These aren’t just technical goals; they reflect a mindset that’s reshaping how India secures its future.

Let’s start with precision. In modern defence, hitting the mark is about more than just accuracy—it’s about trust. Whether it’s a smart munition, a missile guidance system, or a protective armour solution, every detail matters. A minor error in design or testing can lead to major consequences in real-time operations.

Achieving high precision isn’t something that happens in silos. It comes from deep collaboration—between engineers, designers, field experts, and feedback from those on the frontlines. It’s about testing systems in the harshest possible conditions, so they never fail when it truly counts. Ultimately, precision is what allows our forces to act decisively, with confidence.

Then comes speed—not in the sense of rushing, but in being ready. The battlefield doesn’t wait for long production cycles or procurement delays. It demands systems that can be developed, adapted, and deployed faster than ever before.

That’s where agile manufacturing, rapid prototyping, and modular designs come into play. With the help of smart technologies—from 3D printing to AI-based simulation—we’re finding ways to cut down timelines without cutting corners. Speed here means staying ahead of threats, not scrambling to catch up.

And at the heart of it all lies self-reliance.

The global disruptions of recent years have made one thing crystal clear: India’s national security must never be dependent on foreign supply chains. Building critical defence systems at home isn’t just a patriotic ideal—it’s a strategic necessity.

Self-reliance means more than just assembling products locally. It’s about nurturing our own R&D capabilities, investing in future-ready infrastructure, skilling our workforce, and giving MSMEs and start-ups the space to thrive. It also means learning from failures, iterating quickly, and staying resilient—because that’s how true innovation happens.

The journey towards Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence is challenging, but it’s also deeply empowering. It gives us control over our destiny. And as more indigenous systems prove their mettle, we’re not just making equipment—we’re building national confidence.

These three principles—precision, speed, and self-reliance—are shaping a new era for India’s defence industry. They’re not buzzwords; they’re the backbone of how we prepare for the future. A future where India doesn’t just participate in global defence innovation—it leads.

In this moment of transformation, we have the tools, the talent, and the vision. Now, it’s about staying the course—refining every system, responding to every challenge swiftly, and relying on our own strength to secure what matters most.

Because the future of defence manufacturing isn’t just about what we make. It’s about what we stand for.