The Ministry of Defence has taken another concrete step towards reducing import dependence in the defence sector. On 18 August 2026, the Department of Defence Production notified the sixth Positive Indigenisation List. The list contains 405 strategically important items with an estimated business potential of ₹3,070 crore.

Once the indicated timelines are met, these items will no longer be imported. They will have to be procured from the Indian industry. This is part of the larger Aatmanirbhar Bharat push that has been steadily expanding the range of defence equipment that must be made within the country.

What the List Contains

Of the 405 items, 16 belong to the Indian Coast Guard and 389 are linked to Defence Public Sector Undertakings. The list covers line replaceable units, sub-systems, sub-assemblies, spares, components and raw materials.

The platforms and systems involved are wide-ranging. On the air side, it includes items related to the Advanced Light Helicopter, Light Utility Helicopter, Su-30MKI, Light Combat Aircraft and the AL-31FP engine. On the ground, components for the T-72, T-90 and BMP-II armoured platforms are covered. Warships, missile systems such as Konkurs-M, Invar and MRSAM, radars, sonars, fire-control systems, satellite communication equipment and high-explosive anti-tank ammunition also figure in the list.

Each item carries an indicative timeline for indigenisation. After successful development within the country, the DPSUs and the Indian Coast Guard will procure these items from domestic manufacturers. The routes available include the ‘Make’ procedure and in-house development, with clear emphasis on greater participation by MSMEs.

Why This Matters

Positive Indigenisation Lists work on a simple principle. By placing items on the list, the government creates a clear market signal. Indian companies know that after a certain date the armed forces and DPSUs will not be allowed to import those items. This gives domestic industry the confidence to invest in development and production capacity.

Over the past few years, successive lists have covered thousands of items. According to official figures, more than 15,700 defence items have already been successfully indigenised, leading to an estimated import substitution of around ₹9,000 crore in the last five years. DPSUs have also placed substantial orders on domestic vendors.

The sixth list continues this process by targeting a fresh set of components and sub-systems that are still being imported for major platforms already in service or under production.

Where to Find the Full List

The detailed list of all 405 items, along with the indicative timelines, has been uploaded on the SRIJAN Defence Portal (srijandefence.gov.in). Companies interested in developing any of these items can access the information there and engage with the concerned DPSUs or the Coast Guard.

Official Statements

The Ministry of Defence described the notification as another major step to promote Aatmanirbharta in defence manufacturing. It said the decision would expand opportunities for the Indian industry, strengthen the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem, promote investment and innovation, and help reduce dependence on imports.

Official accounts of the Ministry and the Defence Minister’s office shared the announcement on the same day, linking to the PIB release and the SRIJAN portal.

Supportive Links

The sixth list is not a one-time announcement. It is part of a continuing process of gradually shifting more and more defence requirements to domestic sources. For MSMEs and larger private players already working in the defence supply chain, it opens a clear and sizeable opportunity. For the services and DPSUs, it means greater certainty of supply of critical items over the longer term, provided the development timelines are met.

The real test, as always, will be in the execution — whether the industry is able to develop and deliver these items to the required quality and within the indicated timelines.