By Unmukts Editorial Team
Published: July 30, 2025
When Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently announced that India’s defence exports for 2024–25 touched a historic high of ₹23,622 crore, many nodded in agreement—but few grasped the full magnitude of what this number represents.
This is not just a figure.
It’s a 34-fold leap from 2013–14 levels, when exports stood at a mere ₹686 crore.
It is also a testament to India’s silent transformation from a buyer to a builder—from importing submarines and jets to exporting cutting-edge defence technologies to nearly 80 countries.
The Numbers That Tell a Story
| Year | Export Value (₹ Crore) | Growth from 2013–14 |
|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | 686 | Base year |
| 2023–24 | 21,083 | 31x |
| 2024–25 | 23,622 | 34x |
This staggering increase of over 3,362% in just over a decade would be unthinkable without focused reforms and an attitudinal shift in how India perceives its defence sector—not as a cost centre, but as a core driver of self-reliance, innovation, and diplomacy.
From “Buyer” to “Exporter”: What Changed?
1. Policy Shifts and Strategic Vision
Two major national missions have underpinned this growth:
- Make in India: Launched in 2014, this initiative opened up India’s defence sector to private players and foreign investments.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat: Championed after 2020, it redefined India’s military-industrial goals with self-reliance as a central pillar.
The defence production ecosystem has since been backed by simplified export procedures, incentives for manufacturers, and an expanded Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) that prioritizes domestic sourcing.
2. Opening the Gates for Private Sector Innovation
In a sector historically dominated by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), the role of private companies has become increasingly dominant.
In FY 2024–25:
- Private players contributed ₹15,233 crore (approx. 64% of total exports)
- DPSUs accounted for ₹8,389 crore, with a robust 42.85% year-on-year growth
Startups and MSMEs, particularly in UAVs, radar systems, and niche weapons systems, have emerged as vital contributors.
What Is India Exporting? And To Whom?
India’s defence exports now cover a wide spectrum:
- Light helicopters (e.g., Dhruv)
- Coastal surveillance systems
- Indigenous artillery systems
- Ammunition, explosives, night vision equipment
- Naval platforms, radars, communication systems
These products are being sold to countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and even Europe—marking India’s growing credibility as a defence manufacturing hub.
Beyond Exports: The Rise of Strategic Autonomy
This export surge isn’t just about rupees and crores—it’s about a strategic shift. Defence exports amplify India’s soft power, strengthen bilateral ties, and position India as a responsible regional security provider.
As India sets its next target of ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029, this becomes not just a manufacturing challenge, but a strategic statement.
What Can We Learn from This?
For young Indians, startups, policy thinkers, and Unmukt readers who believe in a self-reliant, confident Bharat, this success is a blueprint:
- Ambitious national goals matter.
- Public-private collaboration works.
- Global markets value Indian innovation—when backed by state policy and delivery capability.
India’s record-breaking defence exports in 2024–25 are not just numbers. They are symbols of transformation—from dependence to determination, from a buyer mindset to an exporter’s confidence.
In the world of geopolitics, economic strength, military resilience, and diplomatic assertiveness go hand in hand.
As Unmukt, we believe this is just the beginning. Bharat is not just aiming to be the world’s factory—it is reclaiming its rightful place as a knowledge, defence, and innovation leader.
Unmukt 