India’s Domestic Defence Procurement Climbs to 68 Percent in FY22, Exports to Touch INR 17,000 Crore in FY23

New Delhi, India – India’s defense industry has grown significantly, exporting US$1.6 billion and reducing imports by 11 percent from 2013-17 to 2018-22. In FY 2023, India spent INR 2.71 lakh crore on defensive equipment, 99 percent of which was made in India. To the US and Russia's dismay, India's defence imports are reducing year-on-year due to its local defense industry.

The Indian Armed Forces will procure INR 70,500 crore of Indian-made weapons to demonstrate its achievements. Indian Navy proposals include BrahMos missiles, Shakti EW systems, and marine utility helicopters. The Indian Air Force approved the Long Range Stand-Off Weapon for the SU-30 MKI. HAL will supply the Indian Coast Guard with Advance Light Helicopters MK-III and the Indian Army with 155mm/52 Caliber ATAGS, High Mobility, and Gun Towing Vehicles.

Complex procurement, diversification of arms providers, and initiatives to replace imports with local designs have reduced India's defense imports. In FY22, domestic procurement reached 68 percent, while defence exports are expected to exceed INR 17,000 crore in FY23. India has sold 155-mm artillery guns for US$155 million and Pinaka missiles for US$250 million to Armenia. It supplies bulletproof jackets, ballistic helmets, snow boots, and night vision gadgets to soldiers in Europe, West Asia, Africa, and ASEAN. India will also finalize Brahmos deals with Indonesia and the Philippines in addition to the US$375 million deal signed last year.

India is becoming a defense equipment and ammunition supplier. India makes aero-structures for Boeing’s AH-64 Apache helicopters, while Airbus Defence and Space secured a INR 21,935 crore deal to build C-295 medium-lift transport aircraft at Vadodara. The Indian Army gave the UN Peacekeeping mission in UNISFA, Abyei 159 indigenously made vehicles and equipment. Lockheed Martin and India build F-16 Block 70 wing sets. India exports defense products to over 80 nations and aims to manufacture and export INR 1,75,000 crore (US$21.4 billion) in defence by 2024-25.

World powers are taking notice of India’s defence industry’s amazing rise, and as the industry continues to grow, it will only strengthen India’s position on the world stage.

Image Source: Magic Wand Media

---

---