According to a senior defence ministry official on Friday, India’s defence export has reached its highest level in 2021–22, surpassing the $13,000–crore mark, as a result of the government’s efforts to increase the export of military hardware to friendly foreign nations.
Additional Secretary for Defense Production Sanjay Jaju stated that the private sector contributed 70% of exports during the fiscal year 2021–2022 while the governmental sector provided the remaining 30%. His remarks were made on July 11 during a briefing regarding an upcoming defence ministry seminar on artificial intelligence in defence.
As part of the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of India’s independence and to encourage “Aatmanirbharta” (self-reliance) in the defence manufacturing sector, defence secretary Ajay Kumar announced that defence minister Rajnath Singh will open the seminar at which 75 newly developed AI products and technologies with applications in defence will be launched.
According to data from the defence ministry, India’s defence exports increased by almost six times between 2017 and 2021, rising from 1,520 crore to 8,435 crore.
According to officials, India is exporting missiles, an advanced light helicopter, offshore patrol boats, personal protection equipment, surveillance systems, and a range of radars.
A boost to New Delhi’s aspirations to establish itself as a major exporter of defence equipment came in January when the Philippines and India’s BrahMos Aerospace signed a contract worth approximately $375 million for the Philippine Marines to purchase three batteries of the BrahMos cruise missile.
The light combat aircraft, Astra air-to-air missile with beyond visual range capability, Akash surface-to-air missile system, tanks, sonars, and radars are some examples of military equipment with export potential.
“India has a good strategy and action plan in place, backed by forward-looking policies, to ensure self-reliance in defence, and boost the country’s status as a net exporter of weapons in the coming years,” said military affairs expert Lieutenant General Vinod Bhatia (retd).
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the sale of Akash missile systems to friendly foreign nations in December 2020. Additionally, a powerful panel was established for quicker authorization of the export of military gear. India has set a goal of $5 billion in defence exports by 2024.
The government issued nearly a thousand export authorizations last year, nearly four times the number approved five years earlier, and reduced the time for such applications by a third between 2017 and 2021 in an effort to gain a foothold in foreign markets.
Additionally, during the past two years, India has placed a phased import embargo on 310 different weapons and systems. These devices and weaponry will be indigenised in phases over the next five to six years.
As part of the celebrations for the 75th ( Azadi ka amrut mahotsav) anniversary of India’s independence and to encourage “Aatmanirbharta” (self-reliance) in the defence manufacturing sector, defence secretary Ajay Kumar has announced that defence minister Rajnath Singh will open the seminar at which 75 newly developed AI products and technologies with applications in defence will be launched.
According to data from the defence ministry, India’s defence exports increased by almost six times between 2017 and 2021, rising from 1,520 crore to 8,435 crore.
Also read: Union Budget 2022: 68% Of R&D Budget In Defence To Promote Atmanirbhar Defence Manufacturing
