'This Is What We Were Built For' — Defence Equipment Manufacturers Post India-Pakistan Conflict

India's homegrown defence technology is having its moment under the sun. In a time of real-world conflict as tensions rose between India and Pakistan, they saw their technologies tested — and standing tall.

"This is the moment we have been built for," said Ankit Mehta, chief executive officer of Ideaforge Technology Ltd. "We're not just building technology, we're building some of the best capabilities in the space in the world. Now our technology has been tested in a crisis, a real moment of adversity."

The comments come in the wake of Operation Sindoor, in which Indian armed forces hit nine terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre.

India, long used to combating terrorism and militancy, has developed indigenous systems that are not just operational but excelling, according to Mehta. "A lot of homegrown technology, real-world tested systems have helped catch militants and insurgents out there," Mehta said. "Our technology is now battle-tested."

"This is a fantastic marketing opportunity for defence companies," Ashok Atluri, chairperson of Zen Technologies Ltd., said, describing it as a watershed moment. "The government has shifted from Make in India for India to Make in India for the World."

Zen Technologies, one of the early movers in anti-drone systems, began conversations around the subject as early as 2018. At that time, there was complete silence on the subject, Atluri recalled. "The key takeaway now is that India can develop products that work in an actual war."

On counter-drone capabilities, Atluri said: "We're at the top. Very few companies in the world are doing operations at this level."

Atluri emphasised that India's defence preparedness must account for a multi-front war scenario. "Expenditure of ammunition and equipment happens on a per-day basis. The industry should be able to replace that. That is the capacity we need to build."

"We have definitely proven that we have some of the best air defence technologies in the world," said Mehta. "Technology going forward will be entirely dependent on aerial power in terms of both attack and defence. That precision was very critical in India's Operation Sindoor. Precision will prevent collateral damage," he said.

He called for continued policy support. "Policy rules, PLI schemes, banning imports by the government — all of this helps. By 2047, we'll be the largest economy in the world. People with proven technologies should be given lots of orders so that they can keep making and improving."

"Some of the drones we built outperform international competition," Mehta said. "And we will progressively build the best in the world."