India’s defence exports have recorded an extraordinary rise over the past decade, growing nearly 25 times from ₹1,535 crore in FY17 to ₹38,400 crore in FY26, according to recent industry reports.
The country is now aiming to further increase defence exports to ₹50,000 crore by FY29, reflecting India’s growing ambition to become a major player in the global defence manufacturing market.
The surge has been driven by strong policy support, rising indigenous production, and the government’s Make in India initiative, which has encouraged both public and private sector participation in defence manufacturing.
India currently exports a wide range of defence equipment including BrahMos missiles, Akash air defence systems, artillery systems, radars, naval platforms, armoured vehicles, simulators, and avionics components to more than 80 countries.
Alongside exports, India’s overall defence production has also expanded significantly. Reports indicate that domestic defence production has risen more than threefold in the last decade, while the defence budget has nearly tripled, reaching ₹7.85 lakh crore in FY27.
Industry analysts believe this transformation reflects a structural shift in India’s defence ecosystem, from heavy dependence on imports toward self-reliance, advanced manufacturing, and export-oriented growth.
