In a region perennially on the edge, India’s decisive victory over Pakistan in just four days during a recent cross-border flare-up sent a powerful message—not just to its enemies, but also to the global arms market. The real star of that conflict wasn’t just India’s armed forces; it was India’s homegrown missile technology. The indigenous Akash air defence system and BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, once symbols of India’s self-reliant aspirations, are now combat-tested legends. When Pakistan attempted another round of adventurism, India didn’t just retaliate—it neutralised threats swiftly, precisely, and unambiguously. The Akash system intercepted hostile aircraft and drones with clinical accuracy, while the BrahMos missiles struck high-value targets deep across the border, crippling enemy logistics and communications. The result? Pakistan was forced to back off in under 96 hours—its airspace breached, assets destroyed, and the message received loud and clear. This wasn’t just military retaliation. It was a public demonstration of India’s indigenous weapons platforms, and the world noticed. India’s growing clout as a military exporter reflects this transformation. In 2023-24 alone, the country clocked a record ₹21,083 crore ($2.63 billion) in defence exports—a 32.5% jump from the previous year. Just a decade ago, India was barely exporting ₹1,000 crore worth of defence hardware. Today, it exports to over 100 countries, from components to fully weaponised platforms. Leading the charge are platforms like the BrahMos missile, the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system, and the Akash air defence system. Armenia has emerged as one of the biggest buyers of fully finished Indian systems, including the Akash-1S, Pinaka, and artillery guns. With over $2 billion worth of deals signed, Armenia’s shift to Indian weaponry, especially during its conflict with Azerbaijan, shows not just trust but battlefield credibility.
What’s even more remarkable is the diversity of India’s client base. The United States and France—two of the world’s most sophisticated defence powers—are among the top three importers of Indian defence systems and components. American giants like Boeing and Lockheed Martin source critical components, including Apache helicopter fuselages, from Indian firms like Tata Aerospace. Meanwhile, Armenia, locked in a bitter geopolitical struggle with Turkish and Pakistani-backed Azerbaijan, has leaned heavily on Indian firepower. It placed a ₹6,000 crore ($720 million) order for 15 Akash-1S systems in 2022. The strategic alignment is so deep that Armenia appointed a full-time defence attaché to its embassy in Delhi in 2023. The Philippines became the first ASEAN country to sign a $375 million BrahMos missile deal in 2022, and others are lining up. Several Southeast Asian and Gulf countries are in advanced talks, drawn by BrahMos’ unmatched speed, precision, and now combat validation. Brazil, too, has shown interest in co-producing the Akash system, with inter-governmental discussions underway. India’s annual defence production hit ₹1.27 lakh crore ($15.2 billion) in FY24, up 16.7% from the previous year. The government now aims to hit ₹3 lakh crore by 2029, with exports expected to play a major role. Private players now account for over 21% of this ecosystem, supported by 430 licensed firms and over 16,000 MSMEs. Yes, India is still the world’s top arms importer—accounting for 9.8% of global imports in 2019–2023—but that’s changing fast. With import bans on several key systems, India is not just reducing dependence, but turning its production might into a source of soft and hard power. What India showcased in its rapid decimation of Pakistani aggression wasn’t just military resolve. It was a validation of its technological maturity. Missiles like Akash and BrahMos are no longer just “Make in India” slogans—they are battlefield-proven, export-worthy game-changers. India’s transition—from the world’s largest importer to a top-25 arms exporter—isn’t just a statistical feat. It’s a strategic leap. And with every BrahMos fired, every Akash deployed, and every Pinaka delivered, India is rewriting the global arms order—one contract, and one conflict, at a time.
