Micah Jonah, April 2, 2026
India’s defence exports hit a record ₹384.24 billion ($4.11 billion) in the fiscal year ending March, marking a sharp 62% increase over the previous year, according to a government statement.
The Defence Ministry reported that exports rose by ₹148.02 billion from the ₹236.22 billion ($2.52 billion) recorded in the 2024–2025 fiscal year, signaling growing global recognition of Indian-made military equipment.
India now supplies defence products to over 80 countries worldwide. “India, which once relied heavily on imports for weapons, is rapidly emerging as a defence exporter,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The country has invested heavily in domestic manufacturing, producing a wide range of equipment including drones, fighter jets, submarines, and firearms, either independently or in collaboration with international partners.
India ranks as the world’s fifth-largest military spender and the second-largest arms importer after Ukraine, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
The surge in exports reflects India’s efforts to integrate its defence industry into global supply chains, while strengthening self-reliance in critical military technologies.
