How India turned a 96-hour conflict into a defence export revolution

One year after Operation Sindoor, India's battle-proven weapons are driving a record defence export boom, transforming the country into one of the world's fastest-rising military manufacturing powers.

In Short

• Defence exports rose 62 per cent to Rs 38,424 crore in FY2025-26
• BrahMos, Akash and loitering munitions gained credibility under combat conditions
• Fresh orders worth nearly Rs 24,000 crore followed within months

One year after Operation Sindoor, India’s defence industry isundergoing an unprecedented transformation, with exports soaring torecord levels and indigenous military technology gaining globalrecognition. What began as a 96-hour military conflict in May 2025has now become a defining moment for India’s defence manufacturingecosystem and its ambitions to become a major global arms exporter.

According to data released by the Ministry of Defence, India’sdefence exports reached a historic Rs 38,424 crore in FY2025-26,marking a sharp 62 per cent increase from the previous financialyear. The surge has largely been attributed to the combat success ofhomegrown weapon systems showcased during Operation Sindoor, whereIndian military platforms were tested under high-intensity combatconditions.

The conflict served as a live demonstration of India’s rapidlyevolving defence capabilities. Precision strikes using the BrahMosmissile system, successful interceptions of drones and cruisemissiles by the Akash air defence system, and the deployment ofindigenous loitering munitions significantly boosted globalconfidence in Indian military technology.

The BrahMos missile emerged as one of India’s most sought-afterdefence exports after reportedly bypassing sophisticatedChinese-origin air defence systems during the operation. Severalcountries in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East have sinceshown strong interest in acquiring Indian-made systems.

India also secured fresh export orders worth nearly Rs 24,000 crorewithin months of the operation. Defence officials believe the“battle-proven” status of these systems has fundamentally changedinternational perceptions of Indian weapons, which were previouslyviewed as cost-effective but untested alternatives.

The economic impact has been equally significant. The Ministry ofDefence estimates that the export boom has supported nearly 1.5 lakhdirect and indirect jobs across the country. Private companies arenow contributing almost half of India’s total defence exports,while over 16,000 MSMEs and more than 1,000 defence startups areactively participating in the expanding military-industrialecosystem.

Major Indian defence firms, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited,Bharat Electronics Limited, Larsen & Toubro, Tata AdvancedSystems, Bharat Forge, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, are securinglarge domestic and international contracts across aerospace,missiles, naval systems, and advanced electronics.

India’s broader strategic shift is also evident in its efforts toreduce dependence on Russian defence imports while deepeningcooperation with countries such as France, Israel, Germany, Italy,and South Korea.

Despite the rapid growth, challenges remain. India still depends onforeign suppliers for critical technologies such as jet engines andadvanced sensors. However, with ambitious export targets of Rs 50,000crore by 2029 and continued investment in indigenous research anddevelopment, experts believe India is steadily positioning itself asa major global defence powerhouse for the future.

- Ends