India’s Defence Exports Hit Record ₹38,424 Crore in FY26, Driven by Missiles, Artillery and Global Demand
Summary
India’s defence exports jumped to a record ₹38,424 crore in FY2025–26, a 62.66% increase from ₹23,622 crore the previous year. The surge reflects growing global demand and rising acceptance of Indian-built defence systems across a broad product mix.
Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) were at the centre of the rise, exporting goods worth ₹21,071 crore (a 151% year‑on‑year increase). The private sector supplied ₹17,353 crore — roughly 45% of total exports — growing at a steadier 14% pace. The export portfolio moved beyond basic supplies into high‑value items including missiles (BrahMos, Akash), artillery (Pinaka, ATAGS), radar (Swathi), electronic warfare systems, Dornier 228 aircraft, naval vessels and lightweight torpedoes, plus munitions, small arms, UAVs and personal protection kit.
Products reached more than 80 countries; the number of registered defence exporters rose to 145 (up 13.3%). Key buyers include the United States (notably for sub‑systems), France, Armenia and a range of partners across Asia, Africa and Europe. Over five years, defence exports have nearly tripled, underscoring deeper integration of Indian defence manufacturing into global supply chains.
Key Points
- FY26 defence exports reached a record ₹38,424 crore, up 62.66% year‑on‑year.
- DPSUs accounted for ₹21,071 crore of exports (151% YoY growth); private sector contributed ₹17,353 crore (45% share).
- Export mix expanded to advanced systems: BrahMos and Akash missiles, Pinaka rocket launchers, ATAGS howitzers, Swathi radar and electronic warfare gear.
- Platforms exported included Dornier 228 aircraft, naval vessels and lightweight torpedoes, alongside munitions, UAVs, small arms and protective equipment.
- Indian defence goods reached over 80 countries; registered exporters rose to 145 (13.3% increase).
- Five‑year trend: exports have nearly tripled, indicating stronger global trust in Indian defence manufacturing and supply‑chain integration.
Context and relevance
This story matters for defence industry players, policymakers and logistics providers. The jump signals an expanding Indian defence industrial base with growing capability to produce complex systems for export. That brings supply‑chain and logistics implications — increased demand for secure transport, export compliance, maintenance support and global after‑sales networks. Geopolitical shifts and diversification of sourcing by many countries have opened opportunities that Indian manufacturers are exploiting.
Author style
Punchy: this is not just another growth stat — it’s proof India’s defence manufacturing is graduating from basic items to sophisticated weaponry and platforms. If you work in defence, trade policy or supply chains, this is a development that changes commercial opportunities and operational needs. Read the detail if you handle contracts, logistics or export compliance.
Why should I read this?
Quick and blunt — India just smashed its defence export record. If you want to know where the market is moving, who’s selling what, and where the logistics and export headaches (and profits) will be, this saves you the skim: big DPSU-led spike, strong private participation, missiles, artillery, aircraft and naval kit going global, and exports into 80+ countries. Handy if you need to act fast.