India’s defence exports are poised to reach approximately ₹ 29,000 crore by April 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday (6 March), placing the spotlight on the sector’s rising global footprint as the country pushes deeper into defence self-reliance.
Addressing Sagar Sankalp – Reclaiming India’s Maritime Glory in Kolkata, Singh said India had already recorded an all-time high in defence exports at approximately ₹ 24,000 crore in financial year 2024-25. He said the next milestone was now in sight, with exports expected to approach ₹ 29,000 crore by April 2026.
The minister also reiterated the government’s longer-term target of exporting defence equipment worth ₹ 50,000 crore by financial year 2029-30, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Linking export growth with domestic capacity, Singh said defence production had crossed a record ₹ 1.50 lakh crore in FY 2024-25. He said this reflected the strengthening of India’s industrial base at a time when global supply chains remain under pressure and geopolitical tensions continue to reshape strategic priorities.
He also highlighted the maritime side of this expansion, saying all warships and submarines currently on order for the Indian Navy are being built in Indian shipyards. According to him, the government is working to turn these shipyards into advanced technology hubs through infrastructure upgrades, digital ship design, modular construction and tighter supply-chain integration.
Singh said reforms such as wider private sector participation, access to DRDO laboratories, defence corridors and green channel certification were helping expand the domestic defence ecosystem. Private industry currently contributes around 25 per cent of defence platforms, equipment and accessories manufactured in India, a share he said could rise to 50 per cent by value in future.
He added that around ₹ 3 lakh crore has been planned under Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 to support shipbuilding growth.
Read also : Indian Navy to get four 500 tonnes self propelled fuel barges under Make in India initiative
