Marking a significant milestone in its journey toward self-reliance in defence, India has now emerged as a global exporter of military equipment, supplying to as many as 90 countries. This announcement was made by Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth during an event at Radha Govind University in Ramgarh, held to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar. In his address, Seth emphasized India’s dramatic transformation from being a major arms importer to becoming a fast-growing defence exporter on the world stage.

Seth highlighted that India, which once heavily depended on other nations for its military needs, now stands among countries that supply sophisticated defence products globally. He underlined the Indian Navy’s achievement of 75% self-reliance as a symbol of the broader advancements made in indigenous manufacturing across India’s defence sector.

Over the past decade, India’s defence exports have experienced an extraordinary rise. In the financial year 2024–25, exports touched a record ₹23,622 crore (approximately $2.76 billion), reflecting a 12% increase from the previous year and a staggering 34-fold jump since 2013–14. This growth is largely credited to a combination of sweeping policy reforms, active private sector participation, and technological innovation driven by the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative.

India’s export portfolio now features a wide range of high-tech military systems, including the BrahMos and Akash missile systems, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS), surveillance radars, electronic warfare platforms, and the Dornier-228 aircraft. Countries like the United States, France, and Armenia have emerged as significant importers of these Indian-made defence products.

Minister Seth attributed the rapid growth of defence exports to the strategic vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reforms such as simplified export approvals, increased representation at international defence exhibitions, and strong support for the domestic private defence industry have collectively boosted India’s global market presence. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently expressed confidence that India’s defence exports could reach ₹50,000 crore by 2030, a goal that seems increasingly attainable given the current momentum.

India’s defence footprint now stretches across several continents. Its exports range from basic protective gear like ballistic helmets and body armour to advanced weaponry and surveillance systems. Countries such as Australia, Vietnam, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, and the United States are among those using Indian defence equipment. A landmark moment came in 2022, when India secured a $375 million BrahMos missile deal with the Philippines, signaling its firm entry into the elite group of missile-exporting nations.

India’s expanding defence exports not only reflect its growing technological and manufacturing strength but also position it as a trusted and capable partner in the global security arena.

India has officially begun the development of the Electric Hansa (E-Hansa), a next-generation two-seater electric trainer aircraft, marking a significant step towards green aviation and indigenous aerospace innovation. The announcement was made by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, during a high-level review meeting with science department secretaries.

E-Hansa, being developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), a CSIR institute in Bengaluru, will cost approximately Rs 2 crore—about half the price of similar imported trainer aircraft. The aircraft is part of the larger HANSA-3 (NG) program aimed at offering cost-effective, homegrown options for pilot training and reducing reliance on foreign platforms.

Dr. Singh highlighted the project’s alignment with India’s clean energy goals, noting that E-Hansa represents a vital advancement toward sustainable aviation. He stressed the importance of accelerating technology commercialization and fostering early public-private partnerships. To this end, the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) was directed to adopt models similar to DBT-BIRAC and IN-SPACe to facilitate effective technology transfer and private sector engagement.

The Minister also proposed a hub-and-spoke model for public-private partnerships, driven by AI-based technology and intellectual property exchange platforms. Regional National Technology Transfer Offices (NTTOs) will be established to broaden sectoral and geographic outreach. Dr. Singh emphasized the need for standardized tech transfer protocols and easier business processes to encourage investment in Indian R&D under the ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”

Praising ISRO’s achievements, Dr. Singh commended the success of the SPADEX mission, which tested docking and undocking capabilities crucial for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight. He also lauded ISRO’s contribution to Operation Sindoor and ongoing collaborations with 40 Union Ministries and 28 States. He revealed that Group Captain Subhash Shukla’s scheduled visit to the International Space Station will include seven microgravity experiments, further elevating India’s global space credentials.

In alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision, Dr. Singh announced the organization of region-wise Chintan Shivirs under a “Whole of Science, Whole of Government” approach. These events will promote cross-departmental collaboration between DST, DBT, CSIR, ISRO, Earth Sciences, and Atomic Energy institutions.

To support global collaboration, Dr. Singh mentioned ongoing discussions with countries like Switzerland and Italy to set up bilateral science cooperation centres, akin to Indo-French and Indo-German science hubs. He also proposed a “Global Science Talent Bridge” to attract top international researchers to India.

Dr. Singh addressed the temporary pause in public access to CSIR labs due to security concerns, assuring that the initiative will resume shortly given the enthusiastic response from students following the Prime Minister’s announcement in Mann Ki Baat.

The meeting was attended by top science administrators including Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor; Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG CSIR; Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman ISRO; Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary DST; Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary DBT; Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary Earth Sciences; Dr. M. Mohapatra, DG IMD; and Commodore Amit Rastogi (Retd), CMD NRDC, among other senior officials from the Department of Atomic Energy.

In a landmark move to boost operational synergy among the Indian Armed Forces, the Government of India has fully operationalized the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control & Discipline) Act, 2023. The Ministry of Defence today notified the rules under the Act, granting Commanders-in-Chief and Officers-in-Command of Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs) full disciplinary and administrative authority over personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The Act aims to eliminate redundancies in command structures and foster greater cooperation among the three services while maintaining their distinct service conditions. With this development, ISO commanders now hold powers equivalent to top-ranking officers in individual services, such as a General Officer Commanding in the Army or a Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the Navy.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the move as a transformative step toward military integration and readiness. “This Act ensures our forces can operate as a unified entity, enhancing our capability to address modern security challenges while maintaining the proud traditions of each service,” he said.

This reform is a significant milestone in the broader vision of defence modernization championed by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan since taking office in September 2022. His tenure has focused on breaking down inter-service barriers, encouraging cross-postings, and laying the groundwork for more integrated command structures. The operationalization of the ISO Act builds on these efforts and sets the stage for more comprehensive reforms like the long-anticipated joint theatre commands.

Currently, India’s military command structure consists of 19 separate Army, Navy, and Air Force commands. The concept of joint theatre commands—which would integrate these under unified leadership based on geographic or functional criteria—has been under discussion for years but has encountered institutional resistance.

While the ISO Act is a crucial administrative step forward, defence analysts caution that true integration will require parallel reforms in logistics, training, and operational doctrines. They also stress the importance of increasing support for indigenous defence projects, such as the DRDO’s Kaveri engine program, which is vital for self-reliance in fighter jet technology.

As global security dynamics become more complex, the operationalization of the ISO Act marks a pivotal shift in India’s military posture, enabling the Army, Navy, and Air Force to operate with greater cohesion and efficiency in the face of evolving threats.

Turkish construction company Gulermak, part of a joint venture with Indian firm Sam India on the Kanpur Metro project, has reportedly fled the city, leaving ₹80 crore in unpaid dues to 53 subcontractors. The company was responsible for executing the underground segment of the metro’s Corridor One and is now accused of abandoning its financial obligations after allegedly completing its portion of the work.

According to a report by India Today, several subcontractors claimed they have not received payments for over ten months. Many said that Gulermak delayed and staggered payments despite completing the contracted work. The payment freeze reportedly began following nationwide protests against Turkey’s support for Pakistan during the recent India–Pakistan conflict.

Nine of the affected contractors approached the District Magistrate’s office on Monday, submitting a formal memorandum. Among those awaiting dues are Metro Marble (₹3.70 crore), Radiant Services (₹1.20 crore), Shreyans Infratech (₹1.70 crore), S Interior (₹74.80 lakh), MD Ehasan Painter (₹39.80 lakh), Vinod Gupta Enterprises (₹8.54 lakh), Nandan Prefab (₹29.50 lakh), and Shri Balaji Enterprises (₹21.50 lakh).

Radiant Services’ contractor Gajendra Singh said, “Till now only 50 per cent payment has been made to the companies.” Contractors allege that senior Gulermak officials have left Kanpur and are now unresponsive, with phone calls met with evasive replies.

Panchanan Mishra, Joint General Manager (Public Relations) at the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC), confirmed that Gulermak had completed work on four stations and was paid in full. He clarified that the unpaid contractors were subcontracted by Gulermak, not directly by UPMRC. However, he acknowledged that the metro authority holds 5 per cent of the contract value in reserve, to be released a year post-completion. “If the company doesn’t pay the contractors, the metro has to release this payment,” he added.

Attempts to contact Gulermak for a response went unanswered. The incident has raised concerns over regulatory oversight and subcontractor protections in major infrastructure projects involving foreign firms.