Sat Apr 05 20:54:00 UTC 2025: ## India’s Defence Exports Soar to Record High Amidst International Scrutiny
**New Delhi, April 6, 2025** – India’s defence exports reached a record high of ₹23,622 crore (approximately $2.8 billion USD) for the fiscal year 2024-25, marking a 12.04% increase over the previous year. The Defence Ministry announced the figures, highlighting the success of government initiatives to boost the sector. This surge comes despite recent allegations, dismissed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) as “factually incorrect and misleading,” suggesting that Indian companies may have indirectly supplied Russian forces with components sourced from a British firm.
The MEA strongly defended India’s adherence to international strategic trade controls and end-user commitments, asserting that all relevant regulations were followed. This is not the first instance of such allegations since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict.
India’s robust export control framework aims to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the uncontrolled transfer of conventional arms. The country is a signatory to key international conventions and multilateral export control regimes, including the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement, and the Australia Group. These commitments are central to India’s efforts to expand its defence exports, aiming for a target of ₹50,000 crore by 2029.
The government has undertaken various measures to facilitate exports, including streamlining licensing requirements, establishing an Export Promotion Cell, and creating an online portal for processing export authorisations. The Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy, coupled with the rationalisation of industrial licences, has further eased the process for both public and private sector firms.
While the majority of current exports are driven by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), the private sector is increasingly participating. Major export items include the Dornier 228 aircraft, 155 mm artillery guns, BrahMos and Akash missiles, and Pinaka rockets. The government, however, remains tight-lipped about specific export destinations for strategic reasons. India’s commitment to neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict is also highlighted, with previous reports stating that India refused Israel’s request for artillery shells during the Gaza offensive and maintained a policy of not supplying “kinetic equipment” to either side of the conflict.
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