Equipments are war-tested’: India’s defence exports set to rise after Operation Sindoor, says DRDO chief

By Admin

30 May, 2025

India’s indigenous defence capabilities have received a major boost following the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, and the world is taking notice. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairperson Samir V Kamat, addressing the CII Annual Business Summit 2025, expressed confidence that India’s defence exports are poised to rise as equipment used during the operation is now considered “war-tested.”

War-Tested Confidence

"After Operation Sindoor, I sincerely hope that exports will increase because they have just been tested. Equipment and other countries will show a lot of interest in buying them right now," said Kamat. The real-world performance of these weapons has generated trust and enthusiasm among international buyers, providing a substantial push to India's export potential.

India already exports defence equipment to over 100 countries. However, with this recent validation through field use, the DRDO chief expects more nations to express interest, including those that have not previously engaged with Indian defence manufacturers.

Strategic Push for Indigenous Excellence

Operation Sindoor has served as a strategic demonstration of India’s self-reliance in defence. "I am hopeful that exports will increase after Operation Sindoor because now these equipments have been war-tested," said Kamat. This comes at a time when India is asserting itself as a credible defence supplier capable of meeting global standards through innovation and quality.

AMCA Programme: A New Chapter in Indigenous Fighter Jet Development

Adding further momentum to India’s domestic defence ecosystem, the government recently approved a new execution model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project. This initiative will see both public and private sectors collaborating in a landmark shift from traditional procurement models.

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will lead this effort with active industry collaboration. “In this execution model, HAL can bid. The private sector can bid. They can also bid as a joint venture. So this will open a participation of private sector for fighter aircraft,” Kamat noted.

The AMCA project aims to develop five prototypes of the 5th generation fighter aircraft. The first prototype is expected to fly by 2029, with production scheduled to begin in 2035. This ambitious project aligns with India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ missions, focusing on bolstering indigenous innovation and reducing dependency on foreign technologies.

A Milestone in Make in India

During the CII plenary session, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the AMCA programme a landmark achievement. He emphasized that for the first time, private industry players would be allowed to participate equally in a defence initiative of this scale, further propelling India toward becoming a global hub for defence manufacturing.

Conclusion

India's defence export landscape is undergoing a transformation. Operation Sindoor has not only strengthened national security but also validated the country’s indigenous defence systems on a global stage. With the AMCA project introducing a collaborative model and the proven reliability of Indian equipment, the future looks promising for India's rise as a trusted defence exporter.