India’s Defence-Tech companies gain global ground amid export surge

India’s defence-tech firms are witnessing strong global demand for their indigenous technology as they ramp up production to cater to both domestic and international orders. In the wake of Operation Sindoor and ongoing regional tensions, several private defence enterprises are forging strategic tie-ups for faster deployment and fast-track innovation.

This comes at a time when private players were tapped for the deployment of defence systems during heightened tensions with Pakistan, including the BrahMos supersonic missile, the Akash surface-to-air missile and anti-drone system.

A Bengaluru-based company which develops electronic warfare and space systems, is exploring export opportunities. Similarly, Marut Drones is in advanced discussions with buyers in Africa, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

“Marut’s drone solutions are being evaluated for precision farming, public health and surveillance needs. These regions face challenges similar to India, and our experience in deploying drones in tough, real-world environments gives us a strong edge. By 2026, exports will be a significant part of our growth roadmap,” said Prem Kumar Vislawath, co-founder and CEO of Marut Drones.

Hyderabad-based Zebu Intelligent Systems is preparing for technology demonstrations this year in the US, the Philippines and Malaysia.

“There are a few things in the pipeline, though we haven’t secured concrete orders yet. But the level of interest is high,” said Santosh Balajee Banisetty, Founder and CEO of Zebu.

This momentum comes as India’s defence exports surged to over ₹23,622 crore in FY25, driven by the growing appetite for high-performance, homegrown solutions. The sector’s exports have grown 21-fold—from ₹4,312 crore in the 2004–2014 decade to ₹88,319 crore in the 2014–2024 period.

Private players up the game

Initially, the export portfolio included small arms, ammunition, thermal imagers and radio relays. In recent years, demand has grown for more complex systems such as air defence systems, fire control radars and supersonic cruise missiles, said Pavan Ranga, CEO of Rangsons Aerospace.

Companies like MKU, which manufactures ballistic helmets, along with Rangsons, Merlinhawk Aerospace and Wave Mechanics, are securing export contracts and forming strategic partnerships.

Night warfare capabilities have also come into sharp focus. The demand for advanced soldier protection and situational awareness solutions has surged globally—particularly in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Operation Sindoor, which underscored the need for frontline protection and battlefield awareness, according to a Prachi Gupta, CEO, Optronics, division of MKU. The company supplied 12,500 helmets and 12,500 vests to the Moroccan armed forces in FY23. It has also ramped up production of rugged, multi-sensor, AI-enabled optronics for soldiers and combat platforms.

Export trends

Explaining how the export trends have changed, Mayank Dalmia, Co-founder of Wave Mechanics said, in 2018, India was exporting primarily to a handful of neighbours, including Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.

Explaining how export trends have evolved, Mayank Dalmia, Co-founder of Wave Mechanics, noted that in 2018, India was primarily exporting to a handful of neighbouring countries, including Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Mauritius. Today, Asia, the Middle East and Africa remain key regions for Indian defence exports, with rising interest from countries such as Armenia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Singapore and Brazil, added SKU official.

South-East Asian countries, where Indian diplomacy has been particularly active, are also emerging as significant buyers of Indian defence technologies, added Karthik R, Director and Head of Operations at Merlinhawk Aerospace.

Rangsons Aerospace, in particular, has witnessed international interest in drone detection systems, manpack counter-drone solutions, GPS anti-jamming systems, sensors integrated into various platforms and tactical domain systems.

There is also a noticeable shift in delivery expectations, with timelines being significantly reduced, noted Ranga.

India’s defence-tech companies are well-positioned to become the key enablers of next-gen military solutions.

Published on May 20, 2025