India exported 236.22 billion rupees ($2.52 billion) worth of defence exports from April 2024 to March 2025, a statement from the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said, adding that defence exports for the 2025-2026 fiscal year rose by 148.02 billion rupees.
The sharp rise signals increasing global acceptance of Indian-made defence products and the sector’s growing integration into international supply chains, the statement further said.
“India, which once upon a time used to depend on other countries for weapons or was known for imports, is moving fast in exports as well,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a speech on Thursday.
Emphasising the broader significance of the surge, he added, “This big jump of Rs 14,802 crore in defence exports reflects the growing global trust in India’s indigenous capabilities and advanced manufacturing strength.” In a separate address, Singh noted, “India, which once upon a time used to depend on other countries for weapons or was known for imports, is moving fast in exports as well.”
The government said the growth also reflects the sector’s increasing integration into global supply chains, driven by sustained efforts to boost domestic production, both independently and through collaborations with foreign partners.
The sharp rise signals increasing global acceptance of Indian-made defence products and the sector’s growing integration into international supply chains, the statement further said
It added that the DPSUs’ exports surged by 151 per cent compared to the previous year, with private firms showcasing their robust presence by recording an increase of 14 per cent.
In terms of value of contribution, the private sector accounted for Rs 17,353 crore worth of defence exports, while DPSUs contributed Rs 21,071 crore. Their respective figures in the previous financial year stood at Rs 15,233 crore and Rs 8,389 crore.
India currently exports defence equipment to more than 80 countries, the government said.
India has emerged as among the 25 largest exporters of arms in thew world by selling some US$ 4.11 billion or Rs 38,424 crore worth of defence equipment in 2025-26, with much of it going to Armenia which imported about US$ 2 billion worth of Akash-1S Surface-to-Air Missile systems, Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers and Swathi weapon-locating radars and ATAGS Howitzers.
Beyond missiles and artillery, Indian firms have exported ALH Dhruv helicopters to Mauritius, while Dornier-228 aircraft have been supplied to countries including Mauritius, Seychelles, and Guyana for surveillance roles. Shipyards have also delivered offshore patrol vessels and interceptor boats to countries in Africa and Southeast Asia.
Commenting on the commendable performance of the defence sector, Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry (Retd), told Raksha Anirveda that, “This sharp rise builds on FY 2024–25 exports of ₹23,622 crore, highlighting a strong upward trajectory. Indian defence exports now span over 100 countries and include advanced systems like missiles, radars, and naval platforms. Driven by policies of Ministry of Defence, India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, this achievement firmly positions India as an emerging global defence manufacturing and export powerhouse.”
In terms of value of contribution, the private sector accounted for Rs 17,353 crore worth of defence exports, while DPSUs contributed Rs 21,071 crore. Their respective figures in the previous financial year stood at Rs 15,233 crore and Rs 8,389 crore
The hike in Indian armament sales over the previous 2024-25 is about 62 per cent. Besides Armenia, India is selling armament components to the USA, France, Russia, and Israel, and complete defence systems to the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Maldives, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Mauritius, Seychelles, Nigeria, Botswana, Suriname, and Kenya.
In recent years, India has pushed to manufacture everything from guns and drones to fighter jets and submarines at home, either on its own or in collaboration with foreign partners.
The two top favourites from India in the arms market are the BRAHMOS, which is one of the fastest supersonic cruise missiles, while Pinaka, often dubbed ‘baby BRAHMOS’, is seen as a cost-effective, high-precision artillery rocket system at competitive prices.
Beyond missiles and artillery, Indian firms have exported ALH Dhruv helicopters to Mauritius, while Dornier-228 aircraft have been supplied to countries including Mauritius, Seychelles, and Guyana for surveillance roles. Shipyards have also delivered offshore patrol vessels and interceptor boats to countries in Africa and Southeast Asia
India’s armament support for Armenia, which has fought two wars in 2016 and 2020 with Azerbaijan, is because of a mix of historical ties and modern geopolitical strategy where India and Russia have been trying to counterbalance the “Three Brother Alliance” between Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan.
Armenia is also a critical node in India’s ambition to reach European markets without passing through Pakistan or China-controlled routes and that former Soviet province is a key partner in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project, which could connect India to Europe via Iran.
India’s arms exporter tag is new, as New Delhi was better known as the world’s second largest arms importer, according to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s 2026 fact sheet, “India was the world’s second largest recipient of major arms in 2021–25 with an 8.2 per cent share of total global arms imports.”
India is the world’s fifth-largest military spender and the second-largest arms importer after Ukraine, according to the latest data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
The two top favourites from India in the arms market are the BRAHMOS, which is one of the fastest supersonic cruise missiles, while Pinaka, often dubbed ‘baby BRAHMOS’, is seen as a cost-effective, high-precision artillery rocket system at competitive prices
While state-run ordinance factories accounted for nearly 55 per cent of defence exports out of India in 2025-26, private manufacturers such as L&T, Tata Advanced Systems, Mahindra Defence and Bharat Forge, which manufacture components for Western arms manufacturers or for systems exported from India, accounted for nearly 45 per cent of the exports.
Commenting on performance of the private sector in contributing to India’s defence exports, Shantanu Gupta, Founder and Managing Director, Tecknotrove Systems told Raksha Anirveda, “India’s record defence exports in FY26 are not a spike but a structural shift from import dependence to export capability, driven by indigenous innovation and global trust. Companies like Tecknotrove exemplify this transition, building world-class simulation systems that strengthen national capabilities while contributing meaningfully to the country’s expanding defence export ecosystem.”
Moreover, as part of its defence diplomacy initiative, the Indian government has laid a lot of emphasis on defence attaches to look for opportunities and boost exports. The next phase of plans is to get foreign players to build in India for their own markets and exports.
-The writer is a New Delhi-based senior commentator on international and strategic affairs, environmental issues, an interfaith practitioner, and a media consultant. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily carry the views of Raksha Anirveda
