India’s defence export reaches ₹8,000 cr in H1 of FY23: Rajnath Singh

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said during the first six months of FY23, India recorded defence exports worth ₹8,000 crore and is aiming for defence exports worth ₹35,000 crore by 2025. Moreover, the exports of defence items and technology reached a whopping ₹13,000 crore in FY2021-22, which is expected to surge to ₹17,000 crore in FY23. 

“The whole world is witnessing India transform as a self-reliant country. A nation that does not accept anyone’s interference in its internal matters, but does not shy away from ensuring its participation in those issues which are related to the collective well-being. India is now playing the role of agenda-setters in the international system,” the defence minister said at the curtain raiser event of Defexpo, which is scheduled to be held between October 18 and October 20, in the Gandhinagar district of Gujarat. 

Titled as 'Path to Pride', the event will witness the participation of domestic and international companies. As many as 451 MoUs are expected to be signed during the event. “The India Pavilion - a marque pavilion of the Department of Defence Production - will showcase the maturity of indigenous defence products, start-ups and the latest technology, including Artificial Intelligence in defence, while presenting India’s vision for 2047. In addition, there will be an exclusive Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Pavilion to showcase the prowess of the country’s start-ups carrying out R&D and innovation in futuristic technologies,” the ministry of defence said. 

The ministry of defence will also launch the ‘Invest for Defence’ programme during the event in order to promote investment in the defence sector in the country both by the Indian industry as well Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers. “The event will be an important platform for eminent industrialists as they can contribute to the government’s efforts towards the development of the defence industrial ecosystem in the country and become a part of the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ resolve,” he said.