India relied in the past on other countries to supply military equipment for its armed forces. In recent decades, the government has increased its purchase of military equipments. The procurement process for these weapons can be quite lengthy. It involves importing parts from foreign OEMs. It also requires the use a National Stock Number. NSNs are used for military equipment and supplies. These include aircraft, self propelled weapons, spares, repair parts, and ships.
France is India’s second largest supplier. Russia has been India’s biggest supplier of major arms in recent years. Russia's imports to India decreased by 47 percent in the period 2012-16. However, India still accounts for the second largest market for Russian military equipment. Between 2012 and 2016, Russia's top arms exports were to India the AH64 Apache F-15C Strike Eagle UH-60 Blackhawk and Leopard 2A4 tanks.
India has been the largest importer of military equipments in the world. In recent years, India has been focused on indigenous manufacturing of weapons. The Indian Armed Forces' has had a major impact of the "Make in India” policy. The defence budget is 70% dedicated to the domestic arms sector. This is because the country needs weapons that can meet its defense requirements.
In the past, India lacked the ability to produce weapons of its own. India has been importing major weaponry from Russia since 2012. This accounted for 70% of all major arms imports from India. However, the government started encouraging the production of indigenous weapons for the Indian Army as well as the Indian Air Force. The policy of "Make in India" prioritizes the production of indigenous weapons parts and equipments. The Indian Air Force emphasizes the importance manufacturing indigenous weapons.
France, on the contrary, has been a major supplier for military equipments to India over many decades. France's major weapons programs have been successful in the recent past. The French army invented the Leclerc main battle tank in the early 1980s. This was to help them fight in high intensity conflicts in Europe. The program was finally launched in 1986 after two decades of research.
France launched the main battle tank program and also a combat helicopter, as well as a pair missile programs. These programs were launched to keep France ahead against the Soviet armored divisions and to stop them from advancing into Western territory. Both programs were successful. However, the depletion of smaller-scale programs has threatened the French military's ability to meet its strategic objectives.
Grands Programmes logic is still a core element of French military planning. However, there has been some criticism. While the logic of the Grands Programmes has been criticised, its implementation is essential in ensuring that the French military can continue to remain cutting-edge.