India has achieved a major milestone in the defence sector, with exports reaching an all-time high of Rs 38,424 crore in the financial year 2025–26. The figure marks a sharp rise of nearly 63% compared to the previous year, underscoring the country’s rapidly expanding footprint in the global arms market.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement, stating that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is steadily emerging as a key global hub for defence manufacturing and exports.
Under the inspiring leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi, India is scripting an impressive defence exports success story!
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 2, 2026
India defence exports have touched a new all time high with a record ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26. It marks a robust 62.66% growth over the previous fiscal.… pic.twitter.com/eAAh1PYX7e
Public and private sectors drive growth
The record performance has been powered by a combined push from both public sector undertakings and private companies. Government-owned defence firms recorded an impressive 151% surge in exports, while private players contributed significantly with exports worth ₹17,353 crore.
Overall, public sector companies accounted for approximately 55% of total exports, with the private sector contributing the remaining 45%. The data reflects growing global confidence in Indian-made defence equipment. Notably, India’s defence exports have nearly tripled over the past five years, highlighting sustained momentum in the sector.
Rising global demand for Indian defence systems
Indian defence products are now being exported to more than 80 countries. Among the most sought-after systems is the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, which has attracted strong interest from countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia due to its precision strike capability of up to 300 kilometres.
Similarly, the indigenously developed Tejas light combat aircraft is gaining traction in markets like Argentina and Nigeria. Other systems, including the Akash air defence missile system and the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, have also seen increasing demand, with countries such as Armenia already inducting them into their armed forces. The Arjun main battle tank is also being considered by several African nations.
Policy push and ease of doing business
The government’s efforts to simplify regulatory processes have played a crucial role in boosting exports. A streamlined online clearance system and simplified procedures have made it easier for companies to secure export approvals. As a result, the number of defence exporters has increased from 128 to 145 over the past year.
Officials note that India is no longer limited to exporting components or subsystems but is now supplying complete platforms, including missile systems and fighter aircraft.
The strong growth in defence exports signals India’s emergence as a serious player in the global arms market, with expectations of further expansion in the coming years, potentially contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth as well.
