France, Armenia, and the United States have emerged as the top three destinations for India’s defence exports, according to a Times of India report. In the fiscal year 2023-24, these countries accounted for military sales worth ₹21,083 crore (approximately $2.6 billion) to various nations. Indian defence manufacturers, both public and private sector companies, are supplying lethal arms to around 100 countries. Key exports include BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Dornier-228 aircraft, artillery guns, radars, Akash missiles, Pinaka rockets, and armoured vehicles.
The former Soviet Republic of Armenia has emerged as India’s largest client for ‘finished’ weapon systems, including the Akash air defence missile systems, Pinaka multi-launch rocket systems, and 155mm artillery guns. In contrast, exports to the United States primarily consist of sub-systems and components supplied to global defence giants like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. These companies have sourced fuselage, wings, and other aircraft and helicopter parts from India as part of their global supply chain networks. Notably, the Tata Boeing Aerospace venture in Hyderabad is manufacturing the fuselage and secondary structures for Apache attack helicopters. Additionally, France is importing a significant amount of software and electronic equipment from India, according to the report.
Over the past four years, Armenia has signed multiple agreements with India for the import of various defence systems, including missiles, artillery guns, weapon-locating radars, rocket systems, bullet-proof vests, and night-vision equipment.
Additionally, a wide array of ammunition and artillery shells are being exported to Armenia. Some of these defence pacts were reportedly established during Armenia’s conflict with Azerbaijan, a key ally of Turkey and Pakistan, over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
According to the report, Brazil has expressed interest in co-producing and co-developing advanced versions of weapon systems with India. Furthermore, the Indian Union government has received inquiries from ASEAN countries and several Gulf nations regarding the acquisition of BrahMos missiles, which India co-developed with Russia.
The demand for these precision-strike missiles increased following India’s successful $375 million contract in January 2022 with the Philippines for three BrahMos anti-ship coastal missile batteries.