India’s Defence Exports Hit Record ₹38,424 Crore in FY26, Driven by Missiles, Artillery and Global Demand
Summary
India’s defence exports surged to a record ₹38,424 crore in FY26, a 62.66% rise from ₹23,622 crore the year before. The jump reflects growing international demand and wider acceptance of Indian-made defence systems, from advanced missile platforms to artillery, radars, naval and aviation equipment. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) led the increase with exports worth ₹21,071 crore (up 151% year-on-year), while private industry supplied a broad mix of armoured vehicles, UAVs, small arms and personal protection equipment, contributing ₹17,353 crore (about 45% of the total).
Key Points
- FY26 defence exports reached ₹38,424 crore, up 62.66% from FY25.
- DPSUs accounted for ₹21,071 crore of exports, rising 151% year-on-year.
- Private-sector exports grew ~14%, contributing ₹17,353 crore and about 45% of the total.
- High-value systems exported include BrahMos and Akash missiles, Pinaka rockets, ATAGS howitzers, Swathi radar and various electronic warfare products.
- Other exports: Dornier 228 aircraft, specialised vessels, lightweight torpedoes, munitions, small arms, ammunition, drones and protective gear.
- Indian defence products were exported to over 80 countries; registered exporters increased 13.3% to 145 companies.
- Key markets include the United States (sub-systems/components), France, Armenia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Israel, Germany, Belgium and several African nations.
- Exports have nearly tripled over five years, signalling deeper integration into global defence supply chains.
Context and Relevance
The record figure underlines India’s shift from low-value supplies to complex, high-tech defence systems that global buyers trust. Rising geopolitical tensions and supply-chain diversification have opened opportunities for Indian manufacturers. The combined strength of DPSUs and a maturing private sector is expanding India’s footprint in both equipment and component markets, and is likely to attract further international partnerships and offsets.
Author style
Punchy: This is more than a headline number — it’s proof that India is becoming a credible, large-scale defence supplier. If you follow defence manufacturing, exports or supply-chain shifts, the detail matters: who is selling what, to which markets, and how the public and private sectors are dividing the spoils.
Why should I read this?
Quick and blunt: India’s defence industry just grew up a lot overnight. If you want the gist — exports jumped massively, missiles and artillery did the heavy lifting, DPSUs exploded their numbers and private firms are finally playing at scale. Read this because it saves you digging through government releases and trade data — we’ve pulled the useful bits together so you can spot market and partnership opportunities fast.