What the Indian Government Ignored for 40 Years Is Now a Global Headline
Nidhi | Jun 11, 2025, 18:23 IST
( Image credit : IANS, Timeslife )
For four decades, India sidelined a defence manufacturing proposal that could have transformed its self-reliance. The idea, submitted by Bharat Forge’s Baba Kalyani, gathered dust in government files. Today, that same vision has reshaped India’s defence exports, with indigenous artillery systems attracting global attention. This article explores the history, policy failures, and the remarkable turnaround of a nation finally trusting its own industrial capabilities — and becoming a global player in the process.
In 1980, India had already fought three major wars since independence — with Pakistan in 1947 and 1971, and with China in 1962. And yet, for all its strategic needs, India remained alarmingly dependent on foreign weapons. Over 70% of India’s defence equipment was imported, mostly from Russia. The message was clear: we didn’t trust our own industry to arm our soldiers.
Behind closed doors, a few brave industrialists tried to change that. Among them was Baba Kalyani, a precision engineer and chairman of Bharat Forge — a company known more for crankshafts than cannons. In the late 1970s, Kalyani submitted a proposal to manufacture key defence components domestically.
It was shelved.
The same proposal — untouched, unread, and forgotten — would reappear nearly four decades later, still relevant, still ignored by the system… until one day, it wasn't.
That 40-year-old idea has now become a global symbol of India’s defence resurgence.
Since independence, India’s defence manufacturing was dominated by public sector undertakings (PSUs) such as HAL, DRDO, and OFB. While these institutions played a vital role in building India’s strategic foundation, the system discouraged private innovation.
Even in the 1980s, when India received full technology transfer from Sweden for the Bofors FH-77B howitzer, the transferred know-how remained confined to government files and never translated into meaningful indigenous production. Despite having access to world-class designs, India kept importing heavy artillery instead of producing it domestically.
According to SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute), India was the world’s largest arms importer between 2000 and 2020 — accounting for roughly 9–12% of global arms imports during this period.
At a defence exhibition in New Delhi in 2012, Bharat Forge quietly displayed a prototype of an indigenous artillery gun. It attracted little attention. Foreign exhibitors drew large crowds with sleek presentations, while the Indian gun sat largely unnoticed in a corner.
Uniformed officers walked past it with little more than a glance. Some scoffed at the idea that a private firm — better known for manufacturing automotive components — could build heavy weaponry.
But Baba Kalyani was playing a long game. The artillery gun wasn’t just a display item — it was a statement of intent.
For decades, India’s defence procurement policies were designed to favour public sector monopolies. The fear of corruption, excessive audits, and rigid bureaucracy made the system inherently risk-averse.
As Kalyani once remarked, “You spend ₹100 and someone from the finance department will grill you for a week.” In such an environment, innovation was stifled, and the cost of failure was too high for any bureaucrat to tolerate.
Private companies, no matter how competent, were simply not trusted with sensitive defence projects.
The first major change came in 2014 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s launch of the ‘Make in India’ campaign. For the first time, private players were encouraged to enter traditionally closed sectors like defence and aerospace.
But it was under Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar that the system truly began to change. In 2016, India overhauled its Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), making it easier for private players to compete, innovate, and collaborate.
When Parrikar reviewed the 40-year-old proposal submitted by Kalyani in the 1970s, the irony was clear: India was still importing that same category of equipment.
This time, the proposal wasn’t ignored.
Empowered by policy reform and years of groundwork, Bharat Forge, in collaboration with DRDO, helped develop the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS). The gun boasts a range of over 48 kilometers — one of the highest in its class.
After rigorous trials and testing by the Indian Army, the ATAGS was cleared for induction, and Bharat Forge began preparing for large-scale production. In parallel, the company also received interest from international buyers, especially in Southeast Asia and Africa.
In 2023–24, India’s defence exports crossed ₹21,000 crore — a historic high. Bharat Forge is a key contributor to that figure.
India’s shift from being the world’s largest arms importer to a potential exporter of advanced artillery marks a critical inflection point. It’s not just about one company or one weapon. It’s about changing the mindset of an entire ecosystem — from distrust to confidence, from dependence to leadership.
What began as a long-dismissed idea is now a symbol of India’s self-reliance in defence.
Kalyani’s story is not just about engineering. It is about patience, perseverance, and timing. His idea remained relevant for four decades because the strategic need never changed — only the system did.
The lesson here is powerful: private innovation can flourish when public policy enables it. India's defence sector doesn’t suffer from lack of talent or capability — only from lack of trust.
For 40 years, India chose to import what it could have built. Ideas were locked in files instead of factories. But when the system finally opened up, the results were immediate and impressive.
The artillery gun that was once ignored at an expo is now part of India's frontline arsenal — and a subject of global interest.
What the Indian government ignored for 40 years is now a global headline because one man refused to let the idea die, and a country finally chose to believe in itself.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!
Behind closed doors, a few brave industrialists tried to change that. Among them was Baba Kalyani, a precision engineer and chairman of Bharat Forge — a company known more for crankshafts than cannons. In the late 1970s, Kalyani submitted a proposal to manufacture key defence components domestically.
It was shelved.
The same proposal — untouched, unread, and forgotten — would reappear nearly four decades later, still relevant, still ignored by the system… until one day, it wasn't.
That 40-year-old idea has now become a global symbol of India’s defence resurgence.
1. A History of Dependence and Distrust
11 years of India's defence sector_ From indigenous production to global exports and redefined national security.
( Image credit : ANI )
Even in the 1980s, when India received full technology transfer from Sweden for the Bofors FH-77B howitzer, the transferred know-how remained confined to government files and never translated into meaningful indigenous production. Despite having access to world-class designs, India kept importing heavy artillery instead of producing it domestically.
According to SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute), India was the world’s largest arms importer between 2000 and 2020 — accounting for roughly 9–12% of global arms imports during this period.
2. 2012: The Ignored Gun at India’s Own Defence Expo
Two Indian soldiers to be honoured posthumously at the UN.
( Image credit : IANS )
Uniformed officers walked past it with little more than a glance. Some scoffed at the idea that a private firm — better known for manufacturing automotive components — could build heavy weaponry.
But Baba Kalyani was playing a long game. The artillery gun wasn’t just a display item — it was a statement of intent.
3. Why the System Refused to Trust Its Own
As Kalyani once remarked, “You spend ₹100 and someone from the finance department will grill you for a week.” In such an environment, innovation was stifled, and the cost of failure was too high for any bureaucrat to tolerate.
Private companies, no matter how competent, were simply not trusted with sensitive defence projects.
4. 2014–2016: A Policy Shift Opens the Gates
World bows before India_ Leaders hail PM Modi’s 11-year legacy of governance, global respect.
( Image credit : IANS )
But it was under Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar that the system truly began to change. In 2016, India overhauled its Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), making it easier for private players to compete, innovate, and collaborate.
When Parrikar reviewed the 40-year-old proposal submitted by Kalyani in the 1970s, the irony was clear: India was still importing that same category of equipment.
This time, the proposal wasn’t ignored.
5. Bharat Forge Moves from Prototype to Production
Bharat Forge eyes 50 pc aerospace growth to boost ‘Make in India' goals.
( Image credit : IANS )
After rigorous trials and testing by the Indian Army, the ATAGS was cleared for induction, and Bharat Forge began preparing for large-scale production. In parallel, the company also received interest from international buyers, especially in Southeast Asia and Africa.
In 2023–24, India’s defence exports crossed ₹21,000 crore — a historic high. Bharat Forge is a key contributor to that figure.
6. Why This Moment Matters
What began as a long-dismissed idea is now a symbol of India’s self-reliance in defence.
7. The Broader Lesson: Vision Needs Policy to Survive
Centre inks Rs 6,900 cr contracts for advanced artillery gun systems, high mobility vehicles.
( Image credit : IANS )
The lesson here is powerful: private innovation can flourish when public policy enables it. India's defence sector doesn’t suffer from lack of talent or capability — only from lack of trust.
A Nation That Has Begun to Trust Its Own
The artillery gun that was once ignored at an expo is now part of India's frontline arsenal — and a subject of global interest.
What the Indian government ignored for 40 years is now a global headline because one man refused to let the idea die, and a country finally chose to believe in itself.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!