Archive · 8 Sep 2026
India’s Defence Procurement Push Lifts Brokerage Hopes For Stocks
India approved a large new package of defence equipment on September 7, 2026.
The package is worth about Rs 1.10 lakh crore.
It includes helicopters, radars, engines, vehicles, bridges and electronic equipment.
The Army, Navy and Air Force will all receive equipment under the proposals.
About 98% of the purchases are expected to come from Indian companies.
This could create more business for Indian defence manufacturers.
Macquarie preferred Bharat Electronics, while Jefferies was most optimistic about Hindustan Aeronautics.
Jefferies also liked Astra Microwave, Bharat Electronics, Data Patterns and Solar Industries.
The brokerages said exports and the use of Indian-made systems could help the industry, but stock prices and company execution remain uncertain.
India’s Defence Acquisition Council approved procurement proposals worth about Rs 1.10 lakh crore across the Army, Navy and Air Force on September 7, 2026.
Around 98% of the approved purchases are mandated to come from Indian industry, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Macquarie identified Bharat Electronics as its preferred defence stock, while Jefferies rated five of six covered companies as Buy.
Jefferies’ projected upside ranges from 2% for Bharat Dynamics to 39% for Hindustan Aeronautics.
The brokerages cited indigenisation, rising defence spending, exports and operational use of Indian systems as sector drivers, while warning that execution and valuations remain risks.
- Who
- India’s Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Indian defence manufacturers covered by Macquarie and Jefferies.
- What
- The council approved defence acquisition proposals worth about Rs 1.10 lakh crore, prompting brokerage assessments of potential benefits for Indian defence stocks.
- When
- The approvals were announced on September 7, 2026; Macquarie published its assessment on September 7 and Jefferies on September 8.
- Where
- Across India’s Army, Navy and Air Force procurement programmes.
- Why
- The proposals are intended to meet military equipment needs and advance domestic defence production, reduce import dependence and support exports.
Macquarie’s View
Jefferies’ View
Preferred stock
Macquarie’s View
Macquarie identified Bharat Electronics as its preferred defence stock and rated it Outperform with a Rs 550 target price.
Jefferies’ View
Jefferies issued Buy ratings on Bharat Electronics and four other companies, but its highest projected upside was for Hindustan Aeronautics at 39%.
Sector opportunity
Macquarie’s View
Macquarie focused on the immediate Rs 1.10 lakh crore approval package and the expected benefit of sourcing about 98% of procurement from Indian industry.
Jefferies’ View
Jefferies emphasized the longer-term combination of indigenisation, capital-spending growth, exports and operational validation of Indian-made systems.
Export outlook
Macquarie’s View
Macquarie highlighted the benefits of local sourcing for India’s defence ecosystem but did not provide the same detailed export forecast in the article.
Jefferies’ View
Jefferies projected defence exports to grow at an 11% annual rate from FY26 to FY30, while another section of its assessment cited a 12% annual rate from FY26 to FY29.
- Fresh approvals
- About Rs 1.10 lakh crore in Defence Acquisition Council proposals
- Domestic sourcing
- Around 98% of approved procurement is to come from Indian industry
- FY27 AoN approvals
- Rs 1.62 lakh crore, down 6% from the same period last year
- Macquarie preference
- Bharat Electronics, rated Outperform with a Rs 550 target price
- Jefferies highest upside
- Hindustan Aeronautics, rated Buy with a Rs 6,800 target price and 39% implied upside
- Jefferies lowest upside
- Bharat Dynamics, rated Hold with a Rs 1,280 target price and 2% implied upside
- Defence exports
- Jefferies said exports rose 63% year-on-year to Rs 38,400 crore in FY26