India must make its defence chips end-to-end, say scientists
At The Hindu Semiconductor Summit, V.K. Saraswat, A. Sivathanu Pillai and Deleep Nair warn that imported chips leave network-centric weapons vulnerable, and that waiting until 2030-35 for advanced nodes would be too late
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Context
Senior defence scientists have underscored the urgent need for India to develop an end-to-end domestic semiconductor ecosystem to secure its increasingly network-centric weapons systems, such as the missile and the proposed air defence shield. Highlighting the vulnerabilities associated with imported chips, experts are calling for self-reliance in design, manufacturing, and packaging to mitigate security risks and ensure the operational integrity of critical defence infrastructure.
UPSC Perspectives
Internal Security & Defence
The transition from platform-centric to network-centric warfare fundamentally alters the security paradigm. In network-centric operations, interconnected systems—relying on sensors, command, and control networks—dictate battlefield outcomes. This reliance makes the underlying hardware, specifically semiconductors, a critical vulnerability point. As highlighted by defence scientists, imported chips pose significant risks, such as hardware trojans or compromised manufacturing processes, which could be exploited to disable or subvert weapon systems, as seen in the historical attack. Furthermore, the advent of AI-driven systems, drone swarms, and advanced air defence mechanisms like the necessitates advanced processing capabilities. Relying on foreign supply chains for these components, or even for positioning systems like GPS, creates strategic dependencies that can be leveraged during conflicts or through technology denial regimes, emphasizing the need for robust domestic fabrication capabilities for national security.
Science & Technology
The technological gap in India's semiconductor capabilities is stark, with domestic fabrication currently lagging significantly behind global standards. While modern defence systems globally are utilizing 3-nanometre chips, most Indian systems rely on older 28-nanometre technology, and domestic facilities like the operate at the 180-nanometre level. To compensate, India relies on software integration, but this is insufficient for emerging technologies like hypersonic missiles and edge AI, which require advanced node architectures (5nm, 3nm, 2nm). The development of compound semiconductors, such as Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Silicon Carbide (SiC), which are crucial for high-frequency radars and imaging systems, is also essential. To bridge this gap, substantial investments in R&D infrastructure are required. Establishing research fabs within institutions like the IITs, modeled after successful global consortiums, is critical for developing next-generation technologies like neuromorphic chips and ensuring India is not continually dependent on imported technology.
Economic & Industrial Policy
Building an end-to-end semiconductor ecosystem requires a comprehensive industrial strategy, moving beyond merely establishing foundries to developing capabilities in materials, equipment, design, and packaging. The is a step in this direction, aiming to catalyze the ecosystem. However, experts warn that the timeline for achieving advanced node manufacturing must be accelerated to avoid 'missing the bus' amidst tightening global export controls on chip-making equipment, such as Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. Furthermore, securing the supply chain involves strategic foresight in identifying and stockpiling critical minerals necessary for semiconductor manufacturing, an area where India currently lags behind nations like China. Leveraging India's existing strength in chip design—accounting for 20% of global capability—and translating that into comprehensive manufacturing and packaging prowess is vital for both economic self-reliance and strategic autonomy.