New Delhi: India defence exports have increased from around ₹1,000 crore in 2014 to nearly ₹39,000 crore over the last 12 years, according to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
He said this remarkable growth reflects India’s strong focus on self-reliance, indigenous defence manufacturing, and private sector participation in the defence industry. The announcement was made during the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) in Vadodara.
Details of India Defence Exports
Addressing the conference, Rajnath Singh said India’s defence sector has changed significantly over the past decade. He explained that government reforms, the expansion of domestic manufacturing, and increased participation from private companies have helped India become a stronger exporter of defence equipment.
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Make in India Has Boosted the India Defence Exports
The Defence Minister highlighted that India’s domestic defence production has also grown rapidly.
According to him, defence production has increased from around ₹46,000 crore in 2014 to ₹1.78 lakh crore today, showing major progress in indigenous manufacturing. The Ministry of Defence recently confirmed this as a record level for FY 2025-26.
What is the Role of Private Sector in India Defence Exports
Rajnath Singh credited the success to indigenous defence platforms, private companies, and startups.
He said initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), and the Technology Development Fund (TDF) have strengthened India’s defence ecosystem and encouraged innovation.
Gujarat Can Become a Major Defence Manufacturing Hub
The minister said Gujarat has the infrastructure, skilled workforce, and entrepreneurial ecosystem needed to become a leading defence manufacturing centre.
He also pointed to the growing semiconductor ecosystem in Sanand and Dholera, saying future warfare will increasingly depend on advanced chips, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity, and space technologies.
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