How Private Arms Companies Are Helping Build a Strong Line of Defence for the Country

The defence industry in India is undergoing a transition with government initiatives like “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. Alongside public sector corporations such as HAL and DRDO, private sectors are becoming important players and are now witnessing progress in private investment, indigenous manufacturing, and partnership and collaboration with some of the world’s leading defence companies. Alongside decreasing dependence on imports, this development is positioning India as a global centre for advanced defence technology and innovation.

India’s defence production value has reached 1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, and the country’s defence budget, which stood at 253,346 crore in 2013-14, has seen a significant rise, reaching 6,21, 940.85 crore in 2024-25, reflecting a clear commitment to strengthening the defence sector and nation’s capabilities. Here are some private arms companies that are helping to build a strong line of defence for the country.

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)

A key arm of the Tata Group, TASL has become a significant player for aerospace and defence solutions in India. The company provides a full range of integrated solutions across aerostructures and Aeroengines, Airborne Platforms and Systems, Defence Security, and Land Mobility.

With its state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities and strong engineering expertise, TASL stands out for its leadership in aerospace manufacturing, particularly in producing critical aircraft structures and mission avionics. By combining advanced technology with indigenous production, TASL plays a pivotal role in strengthening India’s self-reliance in aerospace and defence systems.

Krishna Defence & Allied Industries Limited (KDAIL)

As part of India’s journey to self-reliance in defence, Krishna Defence & Allied Industries Ltd (KDAIL) is a vital contributor. The company manufactures critical items for the Indian Navy and Army, improving self-reliance in national defence while minimising the need to procure those critical items from abroad and thus returning towards operational readiness. Krishna Defence is focused on the indigenous manufacture of specialised systems and subsystems and is therefore contributing to India’s strategic autonomy while providing reliable and domestically sourced products to India’s armed forces.

The company has put significant activity and energy into its research and development, and Krishna Defence is entrusted with advancing its engineering capabilities in the area of defence and advanced technology. Some of the advanced technologies Krishna Defence is working on include hardened electronic components, field sensors, assemblies for armoured vehicles, marine-grade steel platforms, and naval systems, all of which improve operational effectiveness and enable the overarching defence ecosystem to support itself. These innovations underscore the company’s role in strengthening India’s self-reliant defence infrastructure.

Krishna Defence is located in one of India’s Tier-2 cities and greatly utilises the local skilled workforce while also benefiting the greater regional economy. In all of their endeavours, they have been successful in providing jobs, promoting technical skills, and encouraging skill training. The company serves as an example of how to promote advanced defence technology, encourage self-sufficiency, and generate viable outputs in the name of national security and socio-economic development in the private sector. It shows how private sector players can promote advanced defence technology and encourage self-sufficiency and generate high-impact outputs on national security and socio-economic development.

MKU Limited 

MKU Ltd, based in Kanpur, India, is a global leader in soldier protection solutions. The company specialises in designing and manufacturing ballistic helmets, bulletproof vests, armour inserts, and shields, all rigorously tested to withstand battlefield threats. With in-house R&D and ballistic testing facilities up to STANAG Level IV, MKU ensures that its equipment meets the highest international standards. Its products are trusted by defence and law enforcement personnel across over 100 countries. By focusing on soldier survivability, MKU strengthens operational safety, enhances mission readiness, and contributes directly to India’s defence self-reliance, making it a critical private player in the nation’s security ecosystem.

Mahindra Defence System 

Mahindra Defence Systems brings cutting-edge automotive engineering to defence mobility. The company designs and produces armoured personnel carriers, light tactical vehicles, and logistics platforms for a variety of operational environments. The vehicles increase rapid troop deployment, force mobility and survivability on the battlefield, providing the Indian armed forces with a trustworthy and versatile mobility solution. With its in-house research and development unit, established manufacturing capabilities and some indigenous design, Mahindra Defence is contributing to India’s operational capability and a self-reliant defence manufacturing capability, making it an important private sector partner in the effort to modernise India’s defence infrastructure.

From advanced defence manufacturing to cutting-edge soldier protection and mobility solutions, these private players are redefining India’s defence landscape. Their focus on innovation, indigenization, and operational readiness ensures a stronger, self-reliant, and future-ready security ecosystem for the nation.