NEW DELHI: India’s annual defence production has surged to an all-time high of Rs 1.78 lakh crore in the financial year (FY) 2025-26, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.Giving details of the record production, defence minister Rajnath Singh in a post on X said, “Under the inspiring leadership of PM Modi, India’s defence production is reaching new heights every year. I am delighted to inform everyone that India’s annual defence production has surged to an all-time high.… This milestone represents an impressive 15.6% growth over the previous fiscal year’s output of Rs 1.54 lakh crore and a staggering 110% increase since FY 2020–21, when the figure stood at Rs 84,643 crore. Indigenous defence production has increased nearly fourfold from Rs 43,746 crore in FY 2013–14.”Lauding the efforts of defence departments and industry, the minister said, “The remarkable rise in India’s defence production in recent years is the result of the collective efforts of the Department of Defence Production and all other stakeholders. This upward trajectory is a clear indicator of the country’s expanding defence industrial base. With sustained policy support, several new initiatives, increased private sector participation, and growing export capabilities, the defence production sector is poised for continued acceleration in the years ahead.”India’s defence capabilities have witnessed significant transformation over the last decade, guided by the vision of self-reliance and powered by innovation, technology and indigenous manufacturing, he said.Defence PSUs and other PSUs accounted for 76% of total production, while the private sector contributed 24%, which is a rise from 22% in FY 2024-25.The share of the private sector is at its all-time high of around Rs 42,000 crore in FY 2025-26, reflecting its expanding role in the defence ecosystem.The growth in defence production over the years has tremendously contributed to achieving the record defence exports of Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26.The achievement reflects the growing momentum of the govt’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.With sustained policy support, several new initiatives, increased private sector participation, and growing export capabilities, the defence production sector is poised for continued acceleration in the years ahead, Rajnath added.
