India's Defence Economy
India's Growing Defence Exports
How India's defence exports rose sharply, what it sells and to whom, and why exports help the domestic industry.
India, long a big importer, has also started exporting defence equipment.
Growth
Defence exports rose from around 1,500 crore rupees in 2016-17 to over 23,000 crore rupees in 2024-25, according to government figures.
What India exports
- BrahMos cruise missiles, with the Philippines signing a deal in 2022.
- Ammunition and artillery components.
- Radars and electronics.
- Patrol boats and helicopters.
- Parts for global aerospace firms.
Why exports matter
- Scale: more orders lower unit costs.
- Revenue to support research.
- Diplomacy: defence ties with friendly countries.
- Quality: export competition pushes standards.
Target
The government set a target of 50,000 crore rupees in annual defence exports by 2029.
Challenges
- Competition with established exporters.
- Export controls and approvals.
- After-sales support for buyers.
The missile deal
The Philippines buys BrahMos missiles for coastal defence. The order helps BrahMos production scale up and strengthens India-Philippines ties.
Thinking India only imports weapons
India's defence exports have risen sharply in recent years.
Key takeaways
- Defence exports grew from about 1,500 crore to over 23,000 crore rupees.
- Exports include BrahMos, ammunition, radars and parts.
- Exports bring scale, revenue and diplomacy.
- India targets 50,000 crore rupees by 2029.
No recording for this one yet - EconReader can read it aloud for you.