Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stated on Monday that India has not only outperformed Pakistan on the battlefield, but also demonstrated its edge in 21st-century warfare using indigenously developed defence systems. The operation proved India’s strength in deserts and mountains and validated the credibility of home-grown weaponry.

This statement is backed by numbers. According to Ministry of Defence data, India’s defence production reached an all-time high of ₹1.27 lakh crore in FY2023–24, up from ₹46,429 crore in 2014–15. Defence exports too hit a record ₹23,622 crore in FY 2024–25, up from ₹686 crore in 2013–14. The government now targets ₹3 lakh crore in production and ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029.

Local manufacturers

This shift is particularly striking given that India relied on imports for 65–70 per cent of its defence needs in 2014-15. Today, around 65 per cent of defence equipment is manufactured domestically.

A record 193 defence contracts were signed in 2024–25, with a combined value exceeding ₹2,09,050 crore — nearly double the previous highest figure. Of these, 177 contracts (92 per cent) were awarded to the domestic industry, amounting to ₹1,68,922 crore — or 81 per cent of the total contract value.

The indigenous defence ecosystem includes 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), over 430 licensed private companies, and nearly 16,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) contributing to the national defence supply chain. The private sector now accounts for 21 per cent of total defence production, promoting innovation and efficiency.

Global exporter

Export figures underline this transformation. In 2024–25, private sector exports stood at ₹15,233 crore, while DPSU exports touched ₹8,389 crore — up from ₹15,209 crore and ₹5,874 crore, respectively, in 2023–24.

DPSU exports alone registered a 42.85 per cent growth year-on-year, reflecting increased global trust in Indian defence products.

With modern warships, fighter jets, artillery systems, and cutting-edge weaponry being built within the country, India is now a key player in the global defence manufacturing landscape.

India’s export portfolio includes bulletproof jackets, Dornier (Do-228) aircraft, Chetak helicopters, fast interceptor boats, and lightweight torpedoes — now being exported to over 100 countries. The United States, France, and Armenia emerged as the top buyers in 2023–24.

Broader expansion

To further boost domestic defence manufacturing, two Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) have been established — one in Uttar Pradesh and another in Tamil Nadu. These corridors provide infrastructure and incentives for investors.

Together, these developments point to a fundamental shift in India’s defence landscape — from dependence to dominance. From Operation Sindoor to export corridors, India is crafting a new narrative of strategic strength rooted in self-reliance, innovation, and global ambition.

Published on May 13, 2025