India cannot become a true defence technology power if it continues to depend on foreign partners for critical technologies that is the clear message from DRDO chief Samir V. Kamat. Speaking at a defence seminar, Kamat highlighted a structural disadvantage in relying on imports. Advanced nations, he noted, typically share technology only after it has already been deployed and, in many cases, surpassed within their own systems. This creates a built-in lag for countries that depend on external sources, limiting their ability to emerge as leaders. But the issue goes deeper than procurement. Kamat pointed to a growing mismatch between the pace of system development and material innovation. While modern military systems are evolving rapidly, the materials that enable them often take significantly longer to develop, creating a critical bottleneck. India’s dependence on key raw materials such as rare earths and tungsten adds another layer of vulnerability. The takeaway is clear: self-reliance is not just about assembling platforms. It requires control over the entire value chain from raw materials to advanced technologies and the ability to innovate at speed.