Strategic Vision: India Eyes Export Milestone
The Ministry of Defence has set an ambitious target: ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029. This bold goal comes on the heels of Operation Sindoor—India’s decisive military response to asymmetric threats. The success of the operation not only demonstrated India’s growing technological self-reliance in defence but also cemented its emergence as a serious player in global defence manufacturing.
Defence exports for FY 2024–25 already crossed ₹24,000 crore, a historic high, with projections suggesting that India is on track to become one of the world’s top defence exporters by 2047. This momentum has been powered by a dramatic shift towards indigenous innovation, strategic procurement, and the success of initiatives like Make in India and iDEX.
Operation Sindoor and the Shift in Warfare
On April 22, 2025, a terrorist attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam marked a dangerous evolution in asymmetric warfare—where civilians, not just military personnel, are targeted. India responded with Operation Sindoor, a precision military campaign that avoided crossing the Line of Control or international borders. It instead leveraged precision weaponry and hi-tech platforms to neutralize terrorist infrastructure deep within enemy territory.
What made this operation unique wasn’t just its precision—it was the prominent role played by indigenous defence technology. From combat drones and guided munitions to electronic warfare and air defence systems, the operation validated a decade of policy-driven efforts to indigenize India’s defence capabilities.
The Power of Indigenous Defence Tech
Operation Sindoor marked the full integration of indigenous technologies into India’s military strategy. Drones, for instance, played a central role in both surveillance and offensive missions. India’s domestic drone sector—bolstered by the 2021 ban on imported drones and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme—has matured into a world-class ecosystem. The Defence Ministry’s Drone Shakti initiative and the PLI program have spurred rapid growth, with the future now geared towards AI-enabled autonomous drones.
India’s broader defence tech achievements were also on full display. Loitering munitions struck key enemy radar and missile systems with surgical precision. These strikes were conducted without a single loss of Indian equipment, showcasing the effectiveness of homegrown technology, from ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) tools to net-centric warfare platforms like the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS).
Air Defence: A Multi-Tier Shield
Pakistan attempted a large-scale retaliation on the night of May 7–8, targeting Indian military bases and cities across the northern and western regions. However, India’s integrated air defence grid neutralized every threat. The response included a combination of legacy systems—like the Pechora and OSA-AK—and advanced indigenous assets such as the Akash surface-to-air missile system.
These layers of defence, coordinated across Army and Air Force platforms, created a nearly impenetrable shield. Notably, the Akash system’s performance was exemplary, while IACCS provided real-time threat monitoring, coordination, and interception.
On May 8, Indian forces responded by disabling key Pakistani air defence infrastructure. Using loitering munitions, they destroyed critical radar systems at Noor Khan and Rahimyar Khan bases, all without crossing into Pakistani airspace—underscoring the precision and power of India’s modern arsenal.
Evidence of Tactical Superiority
Recovered remains of neutralized enemy assets told their own story: Chinese-origin PL-15 air-to-air missiles, Turkish drones, and long-range rockets—all of which were thwarted by Indian countermeasures. These recoveries highlight the success of India’s electronic warfare capabilities and integrated air defence.
Further, on May 9–10, Pakistani attempts to target Indian airfields and logistic hubs were systematically foiled by multi-tiered defence systems. From shoulder-fired weapons to advanced radar-guided interceptors, every element of India’s defence architecture operated in seamless synergy. Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations, lauded this inter-agency coordination and emphasized that the systems had matured into dependable force multipliers.
ISRO’s Contribution: Eyes in the Sky
Beyond land and air systems, India’s space capabilities played a quiet but crucial role. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that 10 strategic satellites were continuously monitoring both the northern borders and the 7,000 km-long coastline during the operation. Satellite imagery, signals intelligence, and real-time surveillance fed into the armed forces’ net-centric warfare framework, enabling precise planning and execution.
Make in India: Fueling a Defence Renaissance
Operation Sindoor wasn’t just a military success—it was a proof-of-concept for India’s Make in India initiative in the defence sector. In FY 2023–24, India recorded ₹1.27 lakh crore in domestic defence production. The result is a massive leap from 2013–14 levels, with exports rising 34-fold.
Major indigenous platforms now include:
· LCA Tejas – a nimble, multi-role combat aircraft
· Arjun MBT – a next-gen main battle tank
· ALH Dhruv & LUH – advanced helicopters for multiple terrains
· ATAGS & Dhanush – world-class artillery systems
· Akash Missile System – a proven surface-to-air platform
· Naval assets – destroyers, aircraft carriers, submarines, and patrol vessels
All these systems are now being offered for export, with India’s defence industry securing growing interest from Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Government initiatives like SRIJAN, Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) have played a pivotal role in nurturing startups, MSMEs, and private players. The Defence Ministry has inked record-breaking procurement contracts for Indian firms, validating trust in their capabilities.
A New Frontier: The Drone Economy
The Drone Federation of India (DFI), representing over 550 companies and 5,500 drone pilots, is on a mission to make India a global drone hub by 2030. DFI’s work has led to the development of advanced drone and counter-drone systems that were battle-tested during Operation Sindoor.
These include loitering munitions, swarm drones, and jammers—all conceptualized, designed, and built in India. The DFI’s efforts are backed by regulatory support and public-private partnerships that aim to boost both domestic use and international sales.
From Tactical Victory to Strategic Transformation
Operation Sindoor was not merely a calibrated military response—it was a defining moment in India’s defence transformation journey. The operation validated two decades of effort in building a self-reliant military-industrial ecosystem. It showed the world that India is not only capable of defending itself with indigenous solutions, but also ready to supply the world with world-class defence equipment.
As India targets ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029 and envisions becoming the largest global defence exporter by 2047, the foundation is already in place. Advanced platforms, strategic vision, and policy commitment have converged into a high-performance ecosystem.
In the modern battlefield, where war is waged through satellites, algorithms, and precision munitions, India has arrived—not just as a participant but as a technological leader. Powered by its people, backed by innovation, and driven by strategic foresight, India’s defence sector is now writing a new chapter—of security, sovereignty, and strength.
(With agency inputs)
