New Delhi: India’s defence exports are growing rapidly, and the country is aiming to cross ₹50,000 crore in exports within the next two years, according to Defence Secretary Rajesh Singh.
Speaking at the 13th PAFI Annual Forum 2026 in New Delhi, Singh highlighted India’s growing strength in defence manufacturing, missile production, and military technology exports. He said India’s competitive pricing and improving technology are helping the country gain attention in the global defence market.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Singh: India Offering Missiles At Much Lower Prices
Rajesh Singh stated that one of India’s biggest advantages is its ability to offer advanced missile systems at significantly lower prices than foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
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According to him, India can provide some missile systems at nearly one-fourth the cost of comparable foreign products while maintaining strong performance standards. He explained that as more Indian defence platforms prove themselves internationally, demand from foreign countries is expected to increase further.
BrahMos Among India’s Most Popular Defence Exports
The Defence Secretary identified the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile as one of India’s most successful export products. He said India is already selling or negotiating sales of BrahMos missiles with several countries. Interest is also increasing in other defence systems such as:
- Akash Surface-To-Air Missile System
- Artillery Systems
- Mounted Gun Systems
- DRDO-based Defence Technologies
- Indigenous Missile Platforms
India has also expanded defence cooperation with several nations through exports and technology partnerships.
Technology And Pricing Driving Export Success
Rajesh Singh emphasized that countries buy defence equipment only when they receive reliable technology at competitive prices. He said India’s defence industry is maturing rapidly and is becoming capable of delivering both technological quality and cost efficiency.
According to him, the growth in exports reflects increasing confidence in Indian-made defence systems and the country’s expanding industrial ecosystem.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Singh: Defence Exports Help Beyond Sales
The Defence Secretary noted that defence exports provide several advantages beyond revenue generation. These include:
- Stronger partnerships with friendly nations
- Long-term maintenance and support contracts
- Increased foreign exchange earnings
- More employment opportunities
- Greater global recognition of Indian technology
He explained that defence exports create lasting relationships because importing countries continue to rely on spare parts, upgrades, training, and technical support over many years.
AMCA Fighter Jet Program Attracting Industry Interest
While discussing the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, Singh said proposals have been received from three shortlisted companies. He added that India’s lower missile production costs create significant export opportunities and can strengthen the country’s position in the global defence market.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Singh: Defence Exports Reach Record Levels
According to official data, India’s defence exports reached ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26, marking a record performance for the sector. The export base has expanded to around 145 firms, showing broader participation from both public and private industries.
Government initiatives, technology transfers, and growing private-sector involvement have helped accelerate India’s journey toward becoming a major global defence exporter.
Defence Exim Portal Improving Export Processes
The revamped Defence Exim Portal is helping companies through:
- End-to-end digital applications
- Automated verification processes
- Real-time tracking
- Secure payment integration
- Simplified registrations
Officials believe these improvements will make defence exports more transparent, efficient, and accessible for Indian manufacturers.
Read also: Indian Defence Export Growth: BrahMos, Akash And Make In India Fuel ₹50,000 Crore Goal
FAQs
The Defence Secretary said India can offer some missile systems at nearly one-fourth the price charged by foreign OEMs while maintaining strong capabilities.
India expects defence exports to reach around ₹50,000 crore within the next two years, according to Defence Secretary Rajesh Singh.
Products such as BrahMos missiles, Akash missile systems, artillery systems, and DRDO-developed technologies are attracting growing interest from foreign countries.
