Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, India’s global arms exports have reached a record ₹23,622 crore in the financial year 2024–25. This remarkable growth highlights the success of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative. According to the Ministry of Defence, this figure is 34 times higher than what was achieved in 2013–14. India now aims to boost its defense exports to ₹50,000 crore by 2029.
Global Arms Exports: India Makes Big Leap Amid Operation Sindoor
New Delhi – In the middle of heightened tension with Pakistan and the success of Operation Sindoor, India has received encouraging news from the defense sector. The country has made a significant leap in global arms exports, showing the strength of its growing defense manufacturing capabilities.
As focus shifts to India’s military power amid rising conflict, the country has reached a new milestone in defense exports. Under the ongoing efforts of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) campaign, India’s defense exports hit a record ₹23,622 crore (approximately USD 2.76 billion) in the financial year 2024–25. This marks a growth of ₹2,539 crore from the previous year’s total of ₹21,083 crore—a solid 12.04% increase.
Make in India Shines Through Operation Sindoor
The successful execution of Operation Sindoor has not only displayed India’s military strength but also highlighted the precision and efficiency of weapons developed under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. In response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Indian forces carried out targeted strikes on terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). When Pakistan launched drone attacks, India retaliated by striking multiple Pakistani airbases, underlining the effectiveness of indigenously developed defense systems.
Ministry of Defence Confirms Global Reach
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to announce that India now exports defense products to nearly 80 countries. The ministry further stated that India aims to reach ₹50,000 crore in defense exports by 2029, establishing itself as a strong player in the global defense manufacturing market.
In comparison, India’s defense exports stood at just ₹686 crore in 2013–14. The current figure of ₹23,622 crore represents a staggering 34-fold increase in just over a decade.
Strong Growth from Public and Private Sectors
A previous press release by the Ministry of Defence in April had already highlighted this upward trend. It revealed that defense exports by public sector units (DPSUs) saw a remarkable 42.85% increase in FY 2024–25. This shows the growing international trust in Indian defense products and the sector’s ability to integrate with global supply chains.
The private sector also played a major role. In FY 2024–25, private companies contributed ₹15,233 crore in defense exports, while DPSUs accounted for ₹8,389 crore. This shows an improvement from FY 2023–24, when private sector exports were ₹15,209 crore and DPSU exports were ₹5,874 crore.
Transformation of India’s Military Capabilities
According to the Ministry of Defence, India is undergoing a major transformation in its military capabilities. The country is gradually reducing its dependency on foreign imports and is now focusing on building a strong domestic defense industry. India has successfully developed and exported a wide range of military equipment—including ammunition, weapons, systems, subsystems, and components—to international markets.
This progress reflects India’s commitment to becoming self-reliant in defense manufacturing and building a strong foundation for long-term strategic autonomy.
India’s rising defense exports reflect more than just economic progress — they highlight a shift in the country’s defense strategy. From being a major importer of military hardware, India is now emerging as a global defense exporter. With continued focus on innovation, quality manufacturing, and partnerships, India is set to become a key player in the international defense market. The success of initiatives like Operation Sindoor and Make in India further boost the country’s credibility and confidence in building a secure, self-reliant future.
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