New Delhi: What stood out in India’s stunning victory over Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in May was the use of indigenous weapons and those jointly developed with friendly nations. Over the past 11 years, since 2014, India has not only reduced its reliance on imports but has also begun exporting locally made arms, while emphasising domestic production and encouraging foreign companies to manufacture in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Indigenous platforms in action
INS Vikrant, built at Cochin Shipyard with the Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau, India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) symbolises this shift. HAL’s Tejas Mk1A fighter jet, produced in Bengaluru and Nashik with engines from GE Aerospace and sub-assemblies by private players like L&T and VEM is another example.
Apart from these two other major systems include the K9 Vajra artillery gun, Dhanush howitzers, Prachand attack helicopters, Pinaka multi-launch rocket systems and the AK-203 assault rifle. Moreover, India’s fast-growing drone industry, showcased during Operation Sindoor, amplifies the role of private manufacturers in expanding defence manufacturing capabilities.
India is now encouraging foreign companies it signs deals with to manufacture locally in collaboration with domestic firms. The proposed Rafale fighter purchase, worth over Rs 2 lakh crore, is expected to include 60 per cent indigenous components.
From importer to exporter
India’s annual defence production touched a record Rs 1.27 trillion (Rs 105.41 lakh crore) in FY24, a 16.7 per cent jump from the previous year. The private sector accounted for 21 per cent of this output. Moreover, exports have surged 31-fold over the past decade — from Rs 2,000 crore in FY14 to Rs 21,083 crore (about $2.63 billion) in FY24.
What India is exporting
India’s defence exports not only include complete weapon platforms but also subsystems and components.
BrahMos cruise missiles: The Philippines became the first buyer and signed a $375 million deal in 2022. The deliveries began in 2024–25. According to reports, Indonesia is also close to finalising a $450 million contract, while talks are underway with Vietnam, Malaysia and Middle Eastern countries.
Akash air defence missiles: Armenia signed a $720 million order for 15 Akash-1S systems in 2022, with the first delivered in 2024. Vietnam, Egypt and the Philippines are also interested in the weapon system.
Pinaka rocket systems: Armenia has already signed for it in 2024, with other ASEAN and African countries also showing interest. There were also reports of France and Brazil showing interest in this system.
Dornier-228 aircraft: So far, HAL has delivered two aircraft to Guyana in 2024, and also enquired about it.
Armoured vehicles, bulletproof vests and night-vision equipment are also part of India’s growing export portfolio. India also supplies aerospace and electronic components to US and French defence firms.
Towards a global hub
India is planning to become the next global defence hub and achieve Rs 3 trillion in annual defence production by FY29, both domestic needs and exports and to achieve this, it is expanding its partnerships with foreign nations, focusing on co-production and technology transfer agreements.