India's Defence Exports Achieve Historic Milestone with Record Rs 38,424 Crore in FY 2025-26
In a significant development for the nation's strategic capabilities, India's defence exports have surged to an unprecedented high of Rs 38,424 crore during the fiscal year 2025-26. This remarkable achievement represents a sharp increase of 62.66% compared to the previous fiscal year, underscoring a robust growth trajectory in the country's defence manufacturing and export sectors.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Highlights Leadership and Global Confidence
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced this milestone on Thursday, attributing the success to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on social media platform X, Singh emphasized that this record-breaking performance reflects rising global trust in India's indigenous defence capabilities and advanced manufacturing strength. He stated, "Under the inspiring leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi, India is scripting an impressive defence exports success story!"
The export figure marks a substantial jump of Rs 14,802 crore from the Rs 23,622 crore recorded in 2024-25. This growth is part of a broader trend, with defence exports nearly tripling over the past five years, indicating sustained momentum in India's push to become a major global exporter of defence equipment.
Collaborative Efforts Between Public and Private Sectors Drive Success
Official data reveals a balanced contribution from both public and private sectors in achieving this record. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) accounted for 54.84% of total exports, amounting to Rs 21,071 crore, while the private sector contributed 45.16%, with Rs 17,353 crore. Notably, DPSUs experienced a dramatic surge of 151% in exports compared to the previous year, whereas private firms recorded a 14% increase.
Singh praised this collaborative effort, stating, "With DPSUs contributing 54.84% and private industry 45.16%, this milestone showcases the power of a collaborative and self-reliant defence ecosystem." This synergy highlights the effectiveness of India's Make in India initiative and its focus on enhancing domestic production capabilities.
Sustained Growth and Future Prospects in Defence Exports
The latest figures not only demonstrate a significant year-on-year growth but also point to a long-term upward trend. Over the past five years, defence exports have shown consistent expansion, aligning with the government's vision to transform India into a global manufacturing hub for defence equipment. Singh also commended the Department of Defence Production and other stakeholders for their pivotal roles in this achievement.
This record-high export performance is expected to bolster India's position in the international defence market, fostering greater self-reliance and reducing dependency on imports. As the country continues to innovate and produce advanced defence systems, such as missiles, tanks, and submarines, the future looks promising for further growth in this critical sector.
