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India’s Defence Export Up By 334% In Last 5 Years

India exports mostly avionics suites, radio and radar systems, offshore patrol boats, modern light helicopters and others

India is currently selling its defence production to over 75 countries and it is increased by 334 per cent in the last five years, the government said on Sunday.

During the year 2021-22, the highest-ever Indian defence exports were worth Rs 13,000 crore.

The United States was the main buyer and other nations in Southeast Asia, West Asia, and Africa. Also, defence imports from the US have increased drastically in recent years.

Earlier, the private sector used to provide 90 per cent of India's defence exports, but with the growth of the public sector units, the percentage has fallen to 70 per cent which is still significant.

In January 2022, India and the Philippines agreed to a USD 375 million deal for the sale of three batteries of the shore-based anti-ship BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

The primary factors driving India's exports to new heights have been the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020. Under this policy, industries are encouraged to have strategic alliances with international original equipment manufacturers (for knowledge transfer) and encourage indigenisation.

The gradual import ban on more than 310 different weapons and systems over the past two years, which has increased exports is one of the most significant factors driving the increase in Indian defence exports. These weapons and platforms will be incrementally produced domestically over the course of the following five to six years, according to the government. 

Italy, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Russia, France, Nepal, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Israel, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Poland, Spain and Chile are among the top importers of Indian defence goods in addition to the United States.

India exports include avionics suites, radio and radar systems, offshore patrol boats, modern light helicopters, engineering mechanical equipment, personal protective equipment, weapon systems, platforms, sensors and defence electronics systems.

Despite the significant increases in export, India still has a long way to go since it only contributes 0.17 per cent of the world's export of weapons. 

If India intends to reach its 2024 goal of earning USD 5 billion in defence exports, a dedicated agency could be a game changer. Currently, these exports are driven by a dispersed private sector.


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Defence Export BrahMos defence industry

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