New Delhi, October 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India has emerged as the third-largest exporter of arms to Europe, driven by rising demand under the “Rearm Europe” initiative and the expansion of its domestic defence manufacturing sector, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said on Friday.
Singh said India’s defence exports had reached a record Rs 38,424 crore, equivalent to approximately 3.6 billion euros. Citing a Bloomberg report, he said India had risen to the third position among arms exporters to Europe over the past year, largely due to increased demand for ammunition and artillery supplies under the European initiative.
He noted that exports of standard ammunition, artillery shells and ammunition of various calibres had increased significantly.
According to Singh, India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem has expanded considerably over the past decade. In addition to 16 major public sector companies, the sector now includes around 840 large and medium-sized private firms and approximately 17,000 small enterprises, including startups.
The growth of this diversified industrial base is also reflected in domestic defence sales, which have reached nearly 17 billion euros, he said.
India now exports defence products to more than 80 countries. Singh added that the government seeks to ensure that 75 per cent of annual defence capital expenditure, estimated at around $20 billion to $25 billion, is spent domestically.
The government prioritises IDDM products — Indian-designed, developed and manufactured equipment — to strengthen domestic capabilities and ensure technological sovereignty.
India’s defence exports extend beyond heavy artillery and ammunition to include tactical equipment such as helmets and bulletproof jackets, as well as small arms, Singh said.
He added that several buyers, particularly in Southeast Asia, were engaged in negotiations or had contracts involving a broad range of defence components, small arms and artillery gun systems.
Singh also highlighted the diversification of India’s defence procurement sources. While Russia was previously the country’s largest defence supplier, dependence on Russian equipment has declined over time as India has expanded partnerships with other countries.
France accounts for around 15 per cent of India’s defence imports, while Israel has a similar share, he said. India also maintains strong bilateral defence relations with several European countries, particularly France.
Referring to his recent visits to Greece and Cyprus, Singh said both countries had considerable strategic alignment with India and could serve as important partners in expanding defence cooperation with Europe.
He emphasised that the diversification of India’s defence manufacturing base would allow the country to increase production quickly to meet international procurement requirements.
India intends to participate more actively in Europe’s defence procurement programmes, primarily through joint ventures established in European countries. At the same time, European companies would be encouraged to establish joint ventures in India to access its defence market.
Singh said the proposed partnerships could help integrate Indian and European defence supply chains and create opportunities for manufacturers on both sides.
European countries can also participate in India’s defence procurement programmes, he added, provided they comply with the government’s ‘Make in India’ requirements.
He expressed hope that the partnership agreement would lay the foundation for closer cooperation and greater integration between Indian and European defence manufacturers.
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