India’s defence exports soar 62% to record Rs 38,424 crore in FY26

NEW DELHI: India’s defence exports touched a record high in FY26, rising sharply by over 62 per cent to Rs 38,424 crore, reflecting growing global demand for indigenous military systems and manufacturing capabilities, according to PTI.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the surge marks a “big jump” driven by rising international trust in India’s defence ecosystem."India defence exports have touched a new all-time high with a record Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26. It marks a robust 62.66 per cent growth over the previous fiscal," Singh said in a social media post."This big jump of Rs 14,802 crore in defence exports reflects the growing global trust in India's indigenous capabilities and advanced manufacturing strength," he added.The latest figures compare with Rs 23,622 crore in FY25 and Rs 21,083 crore in FY24, indicating a nearly threefold rise in exports over the past five years.The defence ministry described the performance as a “landmark milestone”, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of positioning India among the world’s top defence exporters.Public sector undertakings (DPSUs) accounted for 54.84 per cent of exports, contributing Rs 21,071 crore, while private sector firms contributed Rs 17,353 crore, or 45.16 per cent of total shipments.

India is now exporting defence equipment to more than 80 countries, with the number of exporters rising to 145 from 128 in the previous fiscal, a 13.3 per cent increase.The ministry said the growth underscores the increasing global acceptance of Indian-made defence products and deeper integration into international supply chains.It added that reforms aimed at improving ease of doing business, including a revamped online portal and simplified procedures for export authorisations, have supported the sector’s expansion.The government said continued policy support and industry collaboration have helped build a competitive and performance-driven defence manufacturing base.