India’s defence exports reached a record ₹38,424 crore in the financial year 2025–26, reflecting a sharp rise in overseas demand for Indian-made military equipment. The figure marks a 62.66% increase over the previous year and shows the growing role of both public and private manufacturers in the sector. The rise is also seen as part of India’s wider push to become a major global defence manufacturing hub.
Record Export Growth
India’s defence exports rose by ₹14,802 crore from ₹23,622 crore in the previous fiscal. Over the past five years, exports have increased nearly threefold. The ministry said this growth indicates stronger global acceptance of Indian defence products and better integration with international supply chains.
Public and Private Sector Contribution
Defence Public Sector Undertakings contributed 54.84% of total exports, while private firms accounted for 45.16%.
- DPSU exports stood at ₹21,071 crore, up from ₹8,389 crore a year earlier.
- Private sector exports rose to ₹17,353 crore from ₹15,233 crore.
- DPSU exports grew 151% year-on-year.
- Private sector exports increased by 14%.
Global Reach and Exporters
India exported defence equipment to more than 80 countries during the year. The number of exporters also increased from 128 to 145. This wider participation reflects the expanding base of Indian defence producers and exporters.
Policy Support and Industrial Push
The growth has been supported by policy measures aimed at easing business processes and improving export facilitation. These include a revamped online portal and simplified standard operating procedures for authorisations. The government has linked this progress to its broader objective of strengthening domestic defence production and raising India’s profile in the global defence market.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026