Archive · 14 Aug 2026
India's defence production and exports hit record highs
India makes a lot of its own military equipment, like fighter jets and helicopters.
In the year 2025-26, India's defence production reached a record high of Rs 1.78 lakh crore.
That is more than four times what the country produced in 2013-14.
India also sells its military hardware to more than 80 other countries.
Defence exports grew from just Rs 686 crore to Rs 38,424 crore over that time.
The government has opened 25 per cent of its defence research budget to private companies, start-ups and universities.
India's goal is to produce Rs 3 lakh crore worth of military equipment every year by 2029.
The government also approved buying 97 Tejas fighter jets and 156 LCH Prachand helicopters to strengthen the armed forces.
These steps are part of India's 'Make in India' plan to become more self-reliant in defence.
India's defence production touched a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, over four times the Rs 4,746 crore recorded in FY 2013-14.
Defence exports jumped from Rs 686 crore in FY 2013-14 to Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26, reaching more than 80 countries.
Public-sector entities produced 76 per cent of defence output, while the private sector contributed the remaining 24 per cent.
The private sector accounted for Rs 17,353 crore (45.16 per cent) of defence exports in FY 2025-26, with Defence Public Sector Undertakings contributing Rs 21,071 crore.
The government has approved 97 Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets worth Rs 62,000 crore and 156 LCH Prachand helicopters worth Rs 62,700 crore.
- Who
- India's Union government, including the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), along with public-sector and private defence manufacturers.
- What
- India's defence production and military hardware exports reached record highs amid a series of defence sector reforms, highlighted in a government factsheet.
- When
- Figures for FY 2025-26, released in a factsheet issued a day ahead of India's 80th Independence Day.
- Where
- India, reported from New Delhi.
- Why
- Driven by defence procurement and production reforms including the Defence Procurement Procedure 2016, Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, Defence Procurement Manual 2025, and the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' push for indigenous acquisitions.
- Defence production (FY 2025-26)
- Rs 1.78 lakh crore (record high)
- Defence exports (FY 2025-26)
- Rs 38,424 crore
- Export markets
- More than 80 countries
- Defence production (FY 2013-14)
- Rs 4,746 crore
- Defence exports (FY 2013-14)
- Rs 686 crore
- 2029 targets
- Rs 3 lakh crore annual production and Rs 50,000 crore exports
- Defence R&D allocation (2026-27)
- Rs 29,100.25 crore, up over 112% from Rs 13,716.14 crore in 2014-15
- Approved acquisitions
- 97 Tejas Mk-1A jets (Rs 62,000 crore) and 156 LCH Prachand helicopters (Rs 62,700 crore)