India’s Defence Exports Hit Record ₹38,424 Crore in FY26, Surge 63%

In a significant milestone, India's defence exports surged to ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025–26, marking a robust 63 percent jump over the previous fiscal. The sharp rise signals not just higher volumes, but a growing global confidence in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem.

At the centre of this expansion is a widening export base. Indian defence products are now reaching over 80 countries, with the United States emerging as the top destination, highlighting India’s deepening integration into global defence supply chains—particularly for components, subsystems, and high-precision engineering solutions.

What stands out in this growth story is the strong push from the public sector. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) accounted for more than half of total exports, registering a remarkable surge, while the private sector continued to maintain steady momentum, underlining the collaborative strength of India’s defence manufacturing landscape.

The numbers also reflect the impact of sustained policy reforms—from simplified export procedures to a focused push on ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’—which have collectively enabled Indian companies to compete more effectively in international markets.

More importantly, this is not just about scale—it is about positioning. India is gradually transitioning from being a net importer of defence equipment to a credible exporter, with capabilities spanning advanced systems, components, and engineering services.

With the government already surpassing its earlier export targets, the trajectory suggests that India’s defence sector is entering a new phase—one where global demand, domestic capability, and strategic intent are converging.