India's defence manufacturing sector has achieved a monumental leap, with annual production value skyrocketing to an unprecedented high. According to Union Minister of State Shripad Yesso Naik, the country's defence production for the financial year 2024-25 reached a historic Rs 1.54 lakh crore. This marks a staggering increase of more than three times compared to the Rs 46,429 crore recorded in 2014-15.
A Decade of Transformation and Self-Reliance
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday, Minister Naik highlighted that the past decade, particularly 2025 as the "year of reforms," has seen accelerated progress in indigenisation. He stated that India has successfully transitioned from being a major importer of defence equipment to a nation that now designs, develops, manufactures, and exports advanced defence systems. This shift positions defence self-reliance, or Aatmanirbharta, as a cornerstone of India's rise as a secure global power.
The most striking evidence of this transformation is in defence exports. From a modest figure of less than Rs 1,000 crore in 2014, exports have surged to a record Rs 23,622 crore in the financial year 2024-25. Naik, who previously served as the MoS for Defence, revealed that India now supplies a wide array of defence products—from ammunition and arms to complete systems and critical components—to approximately 80 countries worldwide, cementing its role as a reliable partner in the global defence supply chain.
Private Sector Growth and Indigenisation Drive
The government's push for self-reliance has significantly boosted private sector participation. The contribution of private companies to total defence production has now risen to nearly 23%. A key strategy has been the notification of five positive indigenisation lists, covering more than 5,500 items. Of these, over 3,000 items have already been indigenised, decisively reducing import dependence and fortifying the domestic industrial base.
Further catalyzing this growth are the defence industrial corridors established in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Together, these corridors have attracted investments worth over Rs 9,145 crore. The defence manufacturing ecosystem has also become more inclusive, with over 16,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) now integrated into the supply chain, making Atmanirbharta a broad-based national endeavour.
Ambitious Vision for a Global Hub
The government has set clear and ambitious targets for the future. The vision is to achieve Rs 3 lakh crore in annual defence production and Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by the year 2029. This roadmap aims to position India firmly as a global defence manufacturing hub. The dramatic growth over the last ten years, according to the minister, underscores a strategic success in building a robust, self-sufficient defence industry that supports national security and economic strength simultaneously.
