India has set a fresh benchmark in building its own weapons and military hardware. In the financial year 2025-26, the country's total defence production climbed to ₹1.78 lakh crore, the highest figure ever recorded. Government data shows this marks a 15.6 percent rise over the previous financial year. The milestone comes at a time when India is steadily pushing toward self-reliance in defence and working to cut its dependence on imported weaponry.
Production has quadrupled in a decade
This record is not the story of a single year. According to the Ministry of Defence, output has grown by more than 110 percent compared with the financial year 2020-21. Look back a decade and the change is even more striking, because production today is nearly four times what it was in 2013-14. Experts say the numbers reflect far more than statistics. They point to the country's growing manufacturing strength, its technological progress and a steadily widening industrial base.
Public sector still dominates
Within this structure, government companies and public sector undertakings (PSUs) continue to hold the largest share. In FY 2025-26, roughly 76 percent of the total defence production came from these bodies. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Mazagon Dock, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and several other defence units played a central role in the achievement. The government says these institutions have made steady gains in building indigenous defence systems, warships, missiles, radars and a range of military equipment.
Private players cross ₹42,000 crore for the first time
Private companies, meanwhile, are rapidly carving out their place in the sector. Their contribution rose to 24 percent in this financial year. Most notably, the total defence production from private firms touched around ₹42,000 crore for the first time. Over the past few years the government has introduced several policy shifts to draw private capital into the field. Setting up defence corridors, easing the licensing process and giving priority to domestic procurement are all part of this approach. Analysts believe the role of the private sector will grow even stronger in the years ahead.
Exports reach a record peak too
The surge in domestic production is now visible in overseas markets as well. In FY 2025-26, India's defence exports reached a record ₹38,424 crore, the largest figure in the country's export history. India is no longer making arms only for its own needs; it is now shipping defence supplies to several nations. International demand for missile systems, radars, surveillance equipment, naval platforms and other products keeps climbing.
Built on the foundation of self-reliance
The government traces this success directly to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign. In recent years the Ministry of Defence has issued several positive lists to promote indigenous procurement. The military equipment named in these lists has been barred from import so that it can be developed and built within the country. The policy has directly benefited Indian industry and helped domestic capacity expand quickly.
Rajnath Singh welcomes the achievement
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed satisfaction over the milestone. He said the record rise in production and exports is the result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign and the combined efforts of public and private industry. He voiced confidence that India will scale new heights in defence manufacturing and exports in the years to come.
