India is quietly turning into a global defense supplier, and the numbers prove it. In FY25, the country exported Rs24,000 crore worth of defense equipment 鈥 up from just Rs1,522 crore in FY17. That鈥檚 a 14-fold increase in just 8 years.
How Did India Pull This Off?
It wasn鈥檛 magic 鈥 it was strategy. The government pushed hard on two fronts:
As a result, Indian companies are now shipping everything from radars, patrol boats, and artillery guns to missile systems. One standout export? The BrahMos missile deal with the Philippines 鈥 a huge step in India鈥檚 missile diplomacy.
Who鈥檚 Leading the Charge?
Both public and private players are making moves:
In fact, private firms now account for over 70% of India鈥檚 defense exports, proving that defense manufacturing is no longer just a PSU game.
Where Are the Exports Going?
Indian defense tech is making its way to:
Southeast Asia
Africa
Latin America
Middle East
These regions want affordable, reliable alternatives to traditional suppliers like Russia or the US 鈥 and India is fitting that role well.
What鈥檚 Next?
The government wants to hit Rs50,000 crore in exports by FY29. With strong demand, growing manufacturing, and diplomatic support, that goal seems achievable. India鈥檚 defense story is no longer just about self-reliance 鈥 it鈥檚 now about global leadership.
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