Defense self-reliance gets new strength in India
There was a time when India looked towards foreign powers even for its smallest military needs. We were forced to import everything, from needles to ships. But now the direction of the wind has completely changed. Today, India has emerged as a strong partner, not just extending its hand to the world, but providing security to the world.
Latest figures are testifying to this change. India has created history in terms of defense production and exports. This news is not just about statistics, but it is the story of India's changing reputation and new employment opportunities being created within the country.
The government's 'Self-reliant India' campaign is now showing its impact on the ground. India's defense production has reached a record level of ₹1.54 lakh crore in the year 2024-25. This is the biggest figure till date. If we look back a little, a huge increase of 174% has been recorded in domestic defense production in 2023-24 as compared to 2014-15.
Not only production, India has also done wonders in selling its goods. While our defense exports were less than ₹1,000 crore in 2014, today it has increased to ₹23,622 crore. Today India's bulletproof jackets, radar and missiles like BrahMos have become a part of the security of more than 80 countries of the world.
It is not just the big government companies that are behind this success, but the country's small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have proven to be real game-changers. Today, more than 16,000 MSMEs in the country are playing their role in the defense sector. The government has so far issued 788 industrial licenses to 462 companies to manufacture weapons and equipment. Changes in policies have made this path easier.
It is heartening for a common Indian to know that our tax money is now strengthening our own country's industries, instead of filling the coffers of foreign companies. In 2024-25, the Defense Ministry signed 193 big contracts, the total value of which is ₹2.09 lakh crore. The most important thing is that out of these 177 contracts have been given to Indian companies.
The government has opened the treasury to modernize the Army, Navy and Air Force. Be it the engines of T-90 tanks, Varunstra torpedoes, or new radars for the Air Force, all these are now being prepared in India. The government has increased the defense budget for 2025-26 to ₹6.81 lakh crore, making it clear that security and indigenization is the top priority of the government.
