India’s defense firms criticized for delays, false “Made in India” claims

India’s Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan has publicly criticized domestic defense companies for failing to deliver weapons and equipment on time, warning that their behavior undermines national security.

Speaking at the “Brainstorm Session” in New Delhi, General Chauhan said, “Many defense companies have over-promised and failed to deliver what they committed to the Army.”

He highlighted cases in which firms claimed their equipment was “70% made in India,” but Army inspections revealed that most components were imported and only assembled domestically.

The General emphasized that such delays and misleading claims pose serious risks, stating, “Companies must act with honesty rather than merely chasing profits. False claims jeopardize our defense capabilities.”

He also criticized the domestic defense industry for being uncompetitive internationally and charging excessively high prices.

According to General Chauhan, some companies secure contracts without real manufacturing capacity, “simply importing foreign equipment, rebranding it, and selling it to the Indian military.”

Analysts say these comments expose persistent weaknesses in India’s defense production system.

Despite New Delhi’s ambitions to become a global military power and produce everything “Made in India,” the reality shows weak planning, slow production, and companies struggling to meet their own commitments.