Indian private defence manufacturer SSS Defence is expanding its presence in international markets, with exports expected to become a major contributor to the company’s growth. The company’s founder and CEO Pavan Krishnan said overseas sales could account for nearly half of its total revenue in the current financial year, reflecting the growing demand for Indian-made defence equipment globally.
SSS Defence achieved a major milestone by becoming the first Indian company to export an indigenously designed sniper rifle to a foreign military. The company supplied its sniper rifle to the Armenian Ministry of Defence, marking a significant achievement for India’s private defence manufacturing sector.
The company has also expanded its international customer base by supplying ammunition to countries including Nepal and Armenia. Its products have gained traction in European markets, with exports of weapon suppressors, precision barrels and other high-performance defence components to international defence firms.
According to Krishnan, SSS Defence is currently in discussions with around eight countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America as part of its efforts to increase its global footprint. The company’s expansion aligns with India’s push to promote indigenous defence manufacturing and increase defence exports through initiatives such as Make in India.
Exports are expected to play a key role in the company’s future financial growth. Krishnan said international business could contribute around 50% of the company’s revenue this year, with plans to scale turnover from tens of crores to hundreds of crores over the next decade.
To meet rising demand, SSS Defence is also increasing its production capacity. The company aims to manufacture around 40,000 weapons this year and plans to raise production to nearly 100,000 weapons next year. This expansion could make it one of India’s largest private manufacturers of military-grade small arms.
The company currently has an order book of around 40,000 weapons and expects this number to grow to nearly 60,000 by the end of the financial year. The strong pipeline is expected to support its planned manufacturing expansion.
The growth of SSS Defence highlights the increasing role of private companies in India’s defence ecosystem. As Indian-made defence products gain international recognition, companies like SSS Defence are emerging as key players in strengthening the country’s defence manufacturing and export capabilities.
