From Buyer to Builder: India’s Defence Trade Enters a New Geopolitical Era

How partnerships with Armenia and South Korea reflect the transformation of Indian defence—from import dependence to indigenous production, technology partnerships and global exports

For decades, India’s defence story was largely defined by imports. From aircraft and submarines to artillery and missiles, the country depended heavily on foreign suppliers to equip its armed forces. Today, that picture is changing.

India is increasingly emerging not only as a major defence market, but also as a manufacturer, technology partner and exporter. The country’s growing defence engagement with nations such as Armenia and South Korea illustrates this transition and gives New Delhi a wider strategic footprint.

The numbers underline the shift. India’s defence production reached a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025–26, up from ₹1.54 lakh crore the previous year and almost four times the ₹43,746 crore recorded in FY 2013–14. Defence exports simultaneously reached an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore, a 62.66% increase over FY 2024–25.