includes references and index

With over 1.3 million active personnel, India is the world's third largest military force. India was the largest importer of defense equipment in 2014. The Government of India has launched the 'Make-in-India' initiative to indigenize manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports, including defense imports and procurement. The beginning of the 21st century saw a reorientation of India on the global stage, from a regional role in the sub-continent to a major role in the Indian Ocean region, stretching from the Gulf of Aden to the Malacca Strait. Contemporary criticisms of the Indian military have drawn attention to several issues, such as obsolete equipment, lack of adequate ammunition, and inadequate research and development due to over-reliance on foreign imports. In the context of defense preparedness, national security means that the government should protect the state and its citizens against all kind of national crises through a variety of power projections, including political power, diplomacy, economic power, military might, and more. Elements of national security discussed here include: military security, political security, economic security, environmental security, security of energy and natural resources, and cyber security. This volume contains ten research articles authored by experts in the field, which will provide insights into the defense and national security preparedness and concerns of India.