Buying arms, selling independence: The strategic cost of importing weapons

Global arms sales are increasingly influenced by politics, impacting countries' defense procurement strategies. Many nations, such as India, seek to maintain strategic autonomy amid foreign military dependence. The case of Turkey highlights the risks associated with relying on specific suppliers. India aims to diversify its sources of military equipment while developing domestic manufacturing capabilities. Ultimately, operational independence hinges on managing maintenance and upgrades of advanced weapons systems.