Our Bureau
New Delhi
While the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile remains the flagship of India’s growing defence exports, the country’s next wave of global military sales is expected to be led by affordable drones, precision-guided munitions and indigenous air defence systems as New Delhi pushes to strengthen its position in the international arms market.
Defence experts believe the nature of modern warfare has shifted significantly, with recent conflicts demonstrating the growing importance of low-cost, high-precision weapons that can be deployed in large numbers. As a result, India is accelerating the development of indigenous drones, loitering munitions, smart missiles and advanced air defence platforms to meet both domestic requirements and rising global demand.
Consider KAL, a long-range one-way attack drone developed by Noida-based IG Defence. According to the company, the system has a range of up to 1,000 km, an endurance of 7–8 hours, and a payload capacity of 50 kg. IG Defence is now looking to position KAL for international export opportunities, subject to the necessary government approvals.
India’s defence exports reached a record Rs 38,424 crore in FY26, marking a 62.66 per cent increase from Rs 23,622 crore in the previous year. India now exports defence equipment to more than 80 countries, as the number of defence exporters has increased to 145 from 128.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), along with public and private sector manufacturers, is investing heavily in next-generation technologies aimed at reducing costs while maintaining accuracy and operational effectiveness.
Officials believe the shift aligns with the government’s broader objective of making India a global defence manufacturing hub under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. As global militaries seek cost-effective yet capable systems, India’s expanding portfolio of indigenous technologies is expected to position the country as a competitive supplier in the evolving defence market.