India’s defence exports surged over 62% to reach a record Rs 38,424 crore ($4.1 billion) in the financial year 2025-26, underscoring growing global demand for indigenous military equipment and the country’s expanding footprint in international supply chains.
The sharp rise from Rs 23,622 crore in 2024-25 marks a “big jump” of Rs 14,802 crore, reflecting increasing global trust in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities, the government said on Thursday.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the milestone, saying, "India defence exports have touched a new all time high with a record Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26. It marks a robust 62.66 per cent growth over the previous fiscal."
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."
According to official data, India now exports defence equipment to more than 80 countries, signalling wider international acceptance of domestically produced systems ranging from guns and drones to fighter jets and submarines.
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.
A breakdown of contributions shows defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) accounted for 54.84% of exports, while private industry contributed 45.16%, highlighting a balanced and collaborative ecosystem.
Despite the export growth, India remains the world’s fifth-largest military spender and the second-largest arms importer after Ukraine, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
India’s defence exports have steadily climbed in recent years, rising from Rs 21,083 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 23,622 crore in 2024-25, before hitting the current record high.