India achieves record defence exports of Rs. 23,622 crore in 2024-25

In recent years, India's defence sector has experienced unprecedented growth, culminating in record exports of defence goods valued at Rs. 23,622 crore for the financial year 2024-25. This figure represents a staggering increase of 34 times compared to exports of Rs. 686 crore recorded in 2013-14, indicating a significant enhancement in the country's defence manufacturing capabilities. The growth underscores India's commitment to becoming self-reliant in defence production as outlined in the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. With strategic policy interventions, such as the Make in India initiative and Production-Linked Incentive schemes, the Indian government has actively worked towards enhancing the competitiveness of local manufacturers while attracting foreign investments. The impact of these initiatives can be seen as the Indian defence ecosystem expands, with the establishment of multiple defence hubs and increased collaboration with global players eager to share critical technologies. During FY 2024-25, India's defence exports covered a diverse range of items, including ammunition, weapons, systems, subsystems, and components, which were supplied to nearly 80 countries. This geographical breadth demonstrates not only the growing technological sophistication of Indian defence products but also the establishment of a firm foothold within the global defence market. Looking forward, the government has set an ambitious target of achieving annual defence exports of Rs. 50,000 crore by 2029. This objective is part of a larger vision to strengthen India's position in the global defence market, especially at a time when rising tensions in the region have made self-reliance in defence manufacturing increasingly relevant. The successful performance of indigenously developed defence systems further reinforces the strategic importance of continued investments in the sector.