Historically, India has depended on foreign countries to provide military equipments for its armed forces. In recent years, India has increased its acquisition of military equipments. The procurement process for these weapons can be quite lengthy. It also involves the importation of equipment and parts from foreign OEMs. It also involves the use of a National Stock Number. The NSN is assigned for military equipment and military supplies. These include self-propelled guns, aircraft, spare parts and repair parts.
France is India’s second largest supplier. Russia has been India's largest supplier of major weapons in recent years. Russia's exports from India have fallen by 47 per cent between 2012 and 2016. India is still the second largest customer for Russian military hardware. 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 is the world's largest importer and exporter military equipment. India has been focusing on the production of indigenous weapons in recent years. The 'Make in India' policy has a major impact on the Indian Armed Forces. The government has set aside 70 percent of the defence budget for the domestic arms industry. This is because of the country's need for weapons that are capable of meeting the defence requirements of the country.
India has never had the technology to produce its own weapons. India has been importing major arms from Russia since 2012, representing about 70% of the total imports of major arms from the country. However, the government started encouraging the production of indigenous weapons for the Indian Army as well as the Indian Air Force. The 'Make in India’ policy promotes the production and use of indigenous weapon parts, equipment, and other components. The Indian Air Force emphasizes the importance manufacturing indigenous weapons.
France, on the other hand, has been a major supplier of military equipments to India for decades. In the past, France's major weapons programs have proven to be successful. The French army designed a new main combat tank, Leclerc, in order to fight in high-intensity continental European conflicts. After two decades of study, the program was launched in 1986.
France launched the main battle tank program and also a combat helicopter, as well as a pair missile programs. These programs were created to keep France ahead, and to prevent Soviet armored troops from entering Western territories. Both programs were successful. However, the French military has been unable to reach its strategic objectives due to the reduction of smaller-scale programs.
Grands Programmes logic still remains a foundation of French military planning. However, there has been some criticism. While it has been criticized for its logic, the implementation of the Grands Programmes is critical to ensure that France's military is cutting-edge.