New Delhi, July 22: India is ramping up its defence exports following a high-profile military operation in Pakistan earlier this year that showcased its growing arsenal of domestically manufactured weapons, from missiles to drones, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” campaign.
The brief but intense military operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, saw Indian forces launch deep strikes across the border using home-grown drones and BrahMos missiles, which officials say demonstrated India’s capabilities to prospective buyers.
“It’s not about a particular operation,” said Vivek Mishra, CEO of drone startup Raphe mPhibr, which raised $100 million in June led by General Catalyst. “But if Indian forces are using systems in harsh terrains and are satisfied, that becomes a validation for others.”
The company’s drones, including the vertical take-off mR10 and mR10-IC models, were among those deployed in the operation, according to industry executives. Raphe’s near-$1 billion valuation is partly driven by expectations of overseas sales.
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said demand for Indian-made military equipment has surged since Operation Sindoor. “The global demand for our indigenous products has increased even more after the valour we showed,” Singh said at a defence event in New Delhi on July 8.
India, one of the world’s largest arms importers, is seeking to more than double its defence exports to 500 billion rupees ($5.8 billion) by 2029, up from 236 billion rupees in the last financial year. The push reflects New Delhi’s broader ambition to shift from an arms buyer to a global supplier, even as it continues to import weapons from countries such as the U.S., France, and Israel.
Prime Minister Modi has been vocal in promoting India’s manufacturing sector. “The world saw a glimpse of ‘Make in India’ during Operation Sindoor. Domestic arms and BrahMos missiles caused massive destruction deep inside enemy territory,” Modi said in May during a visit to Kanpur, a defence manufacturing hub.
India’s flagship BrahMos anti-ship missile, developed through a joint venture with Russia, was previously sold to the Philippines in a $375 million deal and is now being offered to Vietnam and Indonesia.
Other indigenous systems being marketed include the Akash air defence system and artillery guns produced by state-owned Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), according to a senior government official. India is also looking to expand exports through government-to-government sales rather than competitive bidding.
India has seen success in deals with Armenia, which purchased Swathi radars, Pinaka rockets and Akash systems in deals worth nearly $60 million. However, its attempt to sell Tejas light combat aircraft to Malaysia failed last year, with South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries winning the contract.
Private sector participation has expanded significantly under Modi’s administration. Adani Group, Tata, Mahindra and Larsen & Toubro have all built defence portfolios. Tata, for instance, manufactures parts for Airbus and Boeing under offset arrangements, while Adani partners with Israel’s Elbit Systems to produce drones and anti-submarine systems.
“Our drones became the eyes in the sky as well as the swords of attack,” said Adani Group Chair Gautam Adani, noting the company’s contributions during the Pakistan clash.
Meanwhile, Solar Industries, traditionally a maker of explosives, has entered the drone market. “We are expecting more orders from international clients,” CEO Manish Nuwal told investors in May, adding that half of its $1.7 billion order book is from abroad.
Bharat Forge, a manufacturer of howitzers, reported $181 million in defence revenue last year, the majority from exports. “There are lots of opportunities both in India and outside,” said Joint MD Amit Kalyani. “A lot of new geographies will open up this year.”
Analysts say that while India has momentum, it still lacks major wins in open international tenders. “India doesn’t yet have the stamp of approval in terms of a large competitive programme that they’ve won,” said Jon Grevatt, head of Asia-Pacific news at Janes.
Nonetheless, industry leaders remain bullish. “We are not actively going around flogging any particular weapons,” said the senior Indian official. “But interest is growing — and the performance in Operation Sindoor certainly didn’t hurt.”
