SOURCE: AFI
A recent survey by The Takshashila Institution, published on April 18, 2025, reveals a striking preference among Indians for international technological collaborations over the government’s push for Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence and critical technologies. Conducted amid debates over the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fighter jet acquisition strategy and the development of the 5.5-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the survey highlights a public inclination toward partnerships with the United States and Israel, with 45.4% and 20.5% of respondents respectively favoring these nations as key allies.
However, the survey also underscores a troubling trend: Indian private sector companies often prioritize “screwdriver giri”—assembling imported kits—over investing in indigenous research and development (R&D). This preference risks undermining India’s long-term goal of self-reliance in defence, raising critical questions about the balance between collaboration and innovation.
Conducted in November-December 2024, the Takshashila survey polled 655 stakeholders, including private sector representatives, defence and security personnel, government officials, academics, and think tank members. Its findings, detailed in the report Pulse of the People: State of India-China Relations and related publications, come at a pivotal moment as India grapples with a shortfall in IAF fighter squadrons (31 against an authorized 42.5) and the AMCA’s ambitious development timeline, with first flights planned for 2029 and induction by 2035.
The survey reveals strong support for international tech tie-ups over purely indigenous efforts like the AMCA, developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and private partners. Respondents advocate for co-development and co-production with reliable partners, citing the urgency of addressing the IAF’s capability gaps over waiting for fully indigenous platforms. The survey notes, “In the case of stealth fighters, the Indian government should choose between indigenous AMCA and co-development/co-production of next-gen aircraft,” emphasizing the need for rapid combat upgrades.
Preferred partners reflect geopolitical alignments and technological expertise. The US leads with 45.4% support, followed by Israel (20.5%), France (18.1%), and Russia (12.9%), with China trailing at 3%. Among defence personnel, Israel tops the list at 35.2%, reflecting trust in its advanced defence technologies, such as the Barak 8 missile system co-developed with India. The US and Russia follow at 31.5% and 19.4%, respectively, while France lags at 12%. These preferences underscore a pragmatic approach, prioritizing proven partners over ideological commitments to self-reliance.
While the survey highlights public support for tech tie-ups, it also exposes a deeper issue: the Indian private sector’s preference for “screwdriver giri”—a colloquial term for assembling imported kits with minimal local innovation—over substantial R&D investment. Companies like Tata Advanced Systems, Mahindra Defence, and Larsen & Toubro have secured high-profile contracts, such as the Tata-Airbus C-295 manufacturing deal, but often rely on foreign technology transfers or licensed production. This approach maximizes short-term profits and leverages India’s low-cost manufacturing base but sidelines the development of indigenous intellectual property (IP).
India’s R&D spending, at 0.64% of GDP, pales compared to global leaders like Israel (6.3%) and China (2.6%), with government funding dominating over private contributions. Private firms prioritize cost-cutting for price-sensitive markets, deterred by the long gestation periods and high risks of R&D. For instance, the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), developed by DRDO and Tata, was overlooked in favor of the US-made Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicle, highlighting how even indigenous efforts struggle against private sector preference for proven foreign systems.
This trend undermines the spirit of Atmanirbharta, which emphasizes Indian-designed, developed, and manufactured (IDDM) products. The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 prioritizes IDDM, noting that IP constitutes up to 70% of a product’s value, yet private companies often opt for “Buy (Indian)” categories, partnering with foreign OEMs to assemble products with minimal local design input. Such practices, as Bharat Shakti argues, “undercut genuine Indian companies” that invest in IP, favoring pretenders who prioritize compliance over innovation.
The AMCA, a cornerstone of India’s Atmanirbharta vision, exemplifies the tension between indigenous ambition and practical realities. With a budget of Rs 15,000 crore for five prototypes, the AMCA aims to deliver stealth, supercruise, and advanced avionics, rivaling platforms like the F-35. However, its long development timeline and reliance on foreign subsystems, such as engines (initially GE F414, with an indigenous alternative by 2035), highlight the challenges of achieving full self-reliance. The survey’s preference for co-development suggests that partnerships with the US or Israel could accelerate AMCA’s progress, providing access to stealth technologies or sensors while sharing costs.
The survey’s findings challenge the establishment narrative of Atmanirbharta as a panacea for India’s defence needs. While the Modi government has championed self-reliance through policies like the Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) and Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), critics argue that import bans and overambitious goals risk operational readiness. The IAF’s Vice Chief, Air Marshal A.P. Singh, emphasized in 2024 that “Atmanirbharta cannot be at the cost of the nation’s defence,” citing delays in Tejas deliveries and the fighter squadron shortfall. ThePrint’s analysis further notes that producing all military systems domestically is “impossible” given technological and fiscal constraints, advocating for a balanced approach that minimizes but does not eliminate foreign dependence.
The private sector’s “screwdriver giri” approach reflects a rational response to market incentives: assembling foreign kits is less risky and more profitable than R&D. However, this short-termism stifles the virtuous cycle of innovation, where IP development fuels global competitiveness and export revenues, as Bharat Shakti warns. The government’s push for 68% of the capital budget to domestic manufacturers and 25% of R&D funds to private entities is a step forward, but without stricter enforcement of IDDM categories and penalties for false claims, private firms may continue to favor foreign tie-ups over indigenous design.
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