India is rapidly strengthening its position in the global defence export market, with the country’s military equipment exports registering a record rise during the 2025-26 financial year. According to government data, defence exports reached ₹38,424 crore, compared with ₹23,622 crore in 2024-25. This represents a year-on-year increase of 62.66 percent.
The growth comes amid India’s sustained push towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The number of defence exporters has also increased, rising from 128 to 145 as more private-sector companies enter the sector.
BrahMos missiles remain among the most prominent Indian defence products attracting international attention. However, the export basket is becoming increasingly diverse. Next-generation drones, loitering munitions, precision-guided artillery ammunition, laser-guided systems, electronic warfare equipment and indigenous surveillance and counter-strike technologies are emerging as important products.
The changing nature of modern warfare has created growing demand for weapons that can strike targets with greater precision, operate over longer ranges and, in some cases, function autonomously at comparatively lower costs. Indian manufacturers are increasingly attempting to capture this expanding market.
Government figures indicate that India now exports defence equipment to around 90 countries. Over the past decade, the value of defence exports has increased more than thirtyfold, reflecting the expansion of domestic manufacturing capabilities.
However, India has yet to achieve the export target announced under the 2020 Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy. The policy had envisaged defence exports worth ₹35,000 crore by 2025. Despite missing that target, the latest figures indicate that India’s defence export sector is continuing to grow rapidly.
