Defense production in India to reach record ₹ 1.78 crore in FY 2025-26

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that the upward trajectory was a clear indicator of the country’s expanding defense industrial base. File. | Photo credit: ANI

India’s annual defense production in the financial year 2025-2026 has risen to an all-time high of ₹ 1.78 crore, the Ministry of Defense said on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

According to the ministry, the milestone represents a 15.6% increase over the previous fiscal year’s production of ₹1.54 crore and a staggering 110% increase from the 2020-21 fiscal year when it was ₹84,643 crore. Domestic defense production grew nearly four-fold from ₹ 43,746 crore in FY 2013-14.

Defense PSUs and other PSUs accounted for around 76% of the total production, while the private sector contributed 24%, up from 22% in FY2024-25.

“The private sector’s share is at an all-time high of around ₹42,000 crore in FY2025-26, reflecting its expanding role in the defense ecosystem. The growth in defense manufacturing over the years has contributed immensely to achieve record defense exports of ₹38,424 crore in FY2020, a moment of increasing government push for self-sufficiency in defense manufacturing under the initiative Aatmanirbhar Bharat, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” the ministry said.

A collective effort

In his address at X, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh lauded Mr. Modi’s inspirational leadership for taking India’s defense manufacturing to newer heights and commended the joint efforts of the Ministry of Defense Production and the public and private sectors to achieve this milestone.

He emphasized that the upward trajectory is a clear indicator of the country’s expanding defense industrial base. With sustained policy support, several new initiatives, increased private sector participation and growing export capabilities, the defense manufacturing sector was poised for continued acceleration in the coming years, Mr. Singh added.

Published – 17 Jun 2026 21:29 IST