More than 80 countries buying weapons from India: A look at the country's big leap from arms buyer to global supplier

In keeping with the government's push for self-reliance in defence, India has emerged as a leading supplier of military hardware in the last few years, with increased participation from the private sector. High-profile defence deals such as the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers have expanded India's weapons footprint in the international market.

In what has been billed as an " impressive defence exports success story" by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, India’s weapons exports surged to an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore in financial year (FY) 2025-26, which is a sharp 62.66 per cent jump over the previous year’s ₹23,622 crore, indicating India's rise as a reliable, cost-effective, and technologically capable exporter.

Apart from being a successful global partner for systems/sub-systems, India is exporting defence equipment to more than 80 countries as of FY 2025-26, according to defence ministry data. The number of registered defence exporters has also grown from 128 to 145.

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The steep rise of ₹14,802 crore in a year seems to suggest a decisive shift in India’s defence ecosystem:  the country is moving from a traditional importer to an increasingly confident exporter.

Both the pubic and private sectors contributed to achieving this major milestone, with defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) accounting for 54.84 per cent of total exports, while the private sector contributed the rest.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a tweet, "This big jump of ₹14,802 crore in defence exports reflects the growing global trust in India’s indigenous capabilities and advanced manufacturing strength.

With DPSUs contributing 54.84% and private industry 45.16 per cent, this milestone showcases the power of a collaborative and self-reliant defence ecosystem."

A closer look at the numbers reveals a very encouraging trend. The DPSU share of exports skyrocketed by 151 per cent, jumping from ₹8,389 crore to ₹21,071 crore in FY 2025-26. Private companies maintained steady momentum, increasing their exports by 14 per cent, from ₹15,233 crore to ₹17,353 crore.

The “dual-engine” of legacy state-run firms and public sector companies is powering the country's export surge. The defence ministry, in a statement, said, "This sharp rise highlights the increasing global acceptance of Indian made defence products and the sector’s growing integration into the international supply chains."

The defence ministry said the government's continuous efforts towards ease of doing business and facilitation of defence exporters have paved the way for a performance-oriented and globally competitive defence industry.

The numbers do tell a compelling story: India is no longer merely buying weapons and sub-systems; it is increasingly building and exporting them to the world.