ET Now Exclusive: India’s defence sector is currently undergoing a major transformation. Once considered the world’s largest importer of weapons and military equipment, India is now gradually emerging as a major defense exporter. Defence exports have reached close to Rs 38,000 crore, and the government has set a target of increasing this to Rs 50,000 crore by 2030.
However, former Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane believes that at the current pace, India will not only achieve this target but may even surpass it.
According to him, the transformation we’re seeing in India’s defence industry today is being made possible not just by government companies but also by the private sector, startups, and new technologies. This is why the defense sector could become the country’s biggest growth engine in the coming years.
Tata Group Large corporations like Boeing, Airbus, and Lockheed Martin are now integral to the supply chains of global aerospace companies. Indian companies are establishing their presence not only in contract manufacturing but also in design and development.
According to Armane, the biggest contribution to India’s defence exports in the coming years is likely to come from these private companies and global supply chain networks.
The former defence secretary believes that this era of deep-tech startups is still in its infancy and could see explosive growth in the coming years. India can play a significant role, particularly in areas like drone technology, autonomous systems, and electronic warfare.
Private sector is getting a big opportunity in defence production
Aramane says that while public sector companies previously played the role of system integrator, this responsibility is now gradually being transferred to private companies. This will accelerate investment, technology, and production capacity.
According to him, the nature of modern warfare is also changing. Now, instead of expensive platforms, there is a growing demand for low-cost but more effective drones and smart systems. The private sector will benefit the most from this change, as it is more agile and flexible in adopting new technologies.
Base of Defence Industrial Complex is being built
India is no longer focused solely on weapons production, but is developing a comprehensive defence industrial infrastructure. The government, through DRDO and various schemes, is supporting the development of testing centres, validation labs, and aerospace infrastructure.
Armane believes that, with large orders and assurances of long-term demand, private companies are now ready to invest significantly in missile complexes, drone manufacturing units, and aerospace facilities. This will enable India to not only meet domestic needs but also produce for the global market.
