India’s defence exports have reached an unprecedented ₹23,622 crore (approximately USD 2.76 billion) in the Financial Year 2024-25, marking a robust 12.04% increase from the previous year’s ₹21,083 crore. The increase of ₹2,539 crore underscores the rising international demand for Indian-made defence systems and components, solidifying India’s position as a significant contributor to the global defence supply chain.
An important factor in this growth is the outstanding performance of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), which experienced a staggering 42.85% increase in exports this year. DPSUs accounted for ₹8,389 crore of the total export value in FY 2024-25, up from ₹5,874 crore in FY 2023-24. The private sector also played a pivotal role, contributing ₹15,233 crore, which is slightly above the previous fiscal’s total of ₹15,209 crore.
The collective efforts from both sectors have enabled Indian defence products to gain acceptance in around 80 countries worldwide. The items being exported range from ammunition and arms to complete systems and various sub-components, showcasing India’s expanding capabilities across the defence manufacturing domain.
The rise in defence exports can be attributed to a series of policy reforms and structural enhancements initiated by the Government aimed at boosting defence production and exports. Significant measures include:
– Simplification of the industrial licensing process
– Removal of various parts and components from the licensing regime
– Extension of validity periods for licenses
– Streamlining the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for granting export authorisations
In FY 2024-25, the Department of Defence Production issued a total of 1,762 export authorisations through its dedicated portal. This marks a 16.92% increase from the 1,507 authorisations granted in the previous year. Furthermore, the number of registered defence exporters increased by 17.4%, indicating a growing involvement of Indian businesses in the global defence market.
In a recent statement on a social media platform, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated all stakeholders—including industry participants, government entities, and the armed forces—for their contributions to this achievement. He emphasized that, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is progressively working towards its ambitious target of achieving ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029.
India’s evolution from a primarily import-dependent nation to a self-sufficient defence manufacturing powerhouse has been a significant transformation in recent years. The government’s emphasis on ‘Aatmanirbharta in Defence’ has not only spurred innovation and enhanced production capabilities but has also ensured that Indian defence products meet global quality standards and operational requirements.
These record-high export figures for FY 2024-25 not only reaffirm India’s emerging status as a trusted participant in the global defence sector but also reflect the effectiveness of government policies aimed at positioning India as a pivotal player in the international defence manufacturing landscape.
