India’s aerospace sector has witnessed significant developments, with companies like Godrej Aerospace and Azad Engineering securing contracts with major global OEMs like Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce. While these partnerships enhance local employment and skills in advanced manufacturing, they often come with stringent control from the OEMs, limiting technological sovereignty and innovation potential. The “build-to-print” model restricts Indian firms to executing existing designs rather than creating proprietary solutions, raising concerns about long-term sustainability and competitiveness. Without substantial technology transfer, India’s ambitions for self-reliance in defense and aerospace remain challenged, underscoring a delicate balance between economic activity and true technological independence.