Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India will become the world’s biggest weapons exporter within 25 to 30 years [1].
This ambition signals a strategic shift for India, which has historically relied on foreign imports to maintain its military capabilities. By pivoting toward domestic production, the government seeks to reduce strategic dependencies and enhance its influence in the global arms market.
Singh said these remarks during the inauguration of an ammunition manufacturing unit in Shirdi, Maharashtra [2]. He said that self-reliance in defence production is essential for national sovereignty and long-term security.
"A nation that manufactures its own weaponry writes its own destiny," Singh said [3].
The minister highlighted the transition of the country from a buyer to a provider of military hardware. He said that the trajectory of the domestic industry is now geared toward global leadership, a goal he believes is inevitable given current growth patterns.
"No power can stop India, once considered an importer of weapons, from becoming the biggest exporter in 25‑30 years," Singh said [1].
The opening of the Shirdi facility is part of a broader effort to boost the indigenous defence ecosystem. This initiative focuses on creating a robust supply chain, and encouraging local manufacturing to meet both internal military needs and international demand [2].
“A nation that manufactures its own weaponry writes its own destiny.”
India's push for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) in the defence sector aims to transform the country from one of the world's largest arms importers to a major exporter. Achieving this goal would not only reduce the drain on foreign exchange reserves but also grant India greater strategic autonomy by removing the risk of supply disruptions from foreign allies during conflicts.
