23 August 2024

Yes, India’s defence exports are booming, but guess who’s the biggest importer

Snehesh Alex Philip

India’s defence exports have surged more than 30 times in the past 10 years, with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict giving a fillip to more growth as several countries look at beefing up their arsenal.

The country’s growing defence industry now supplies to over 90 countries globally, with the government actively pushing easier licensing systems and approvals and shedding its shyness when it comes to supplying lethal arms.

While the US has emerged as the biggest defence export destination, the government is also focusing on countries in Africa and elsewhere to supply defence goods, with easier lines of credit and a diplomatic push.

Defence ministry data shows that exports jumped by an astronomical 78 percent in the first quarter of 2024-2025. Defence exports in April-June leapt to Rs 6,915 crore from Rs 3,885 crore in the year-ago period.

Defence exports were already on a roll. They hit a record Rs 21,083 crore (approximately $2.63 billion) in 2023-2024, a growth of 32.5 percent over the previous fiscal’s Rs 15,920 crore.

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