FROM CONSTRAINT TO CAPABILITY: LESSONS FROM THE UNITED STATES FOR INDIA’S DEFENCE ASPIRATIONS TOWARDS VIKSIT BHARAT 2047

Abstract

India’s defence aspirations under Viksit Bharat 2047 require a shift from import dependence to indigenous capability and export competitiveness. This study compares defence expenditure and industrial development trends in India and the United States, highlighting structural differences in budgeting priorities. While India remains personnel-intensive, the United States focuses more on R&D, procurement, and technological modernization. This study compares defence expenditure patterns and defence development in India and the United States over 2013–2023, using various data sources from SIPRI, the Ministry of Defence (India), and the U.S. Department of Defence, DRDO, and the Open Government Data Platform, showing India’s personnel-intensive structure versus the U.S. emphasis on R&D, procurement, and technological modernization.

For the period 2015–2023, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is applied to different defence-related variables such as defence exports, defence production, research and development expenditure, total military expenditure, and private sector contribution. The results indicate that defence investment intensity and defence production capability are the most important components driving defence sector growth. The findings further emphasize that enhanced investment in innovation, stronger government–industry collaboration, and streamlined acquisition reforms are essential for India to achieve defense self-reliance and strengthen its global position by 2047.