India has recently revealed why Pakistan failed to counter India’s powerful response during Operation Sindoor. Pakistan had relied on Chinese technology for its air defence, deploying Chinese systems along both the international border and the Line of Control with India. However, during the operation, the Indian Air Force first neutralised these systems. The Chinese technology failed to detect the drones and missile strikes launched by India. The air defence network was effectively jammed, and under this cover, the Indian Air Force inflicted heavy damage on terrorist camps inside Pakistan within just 23 minutes. Through this operation, India has made it clear who holds air superiority in the region. In fact, India’s advancements in defence over the past decade have far exceeded expectations.
Rising Defence Exports
According to a report released by the Public Information Bureau of India on March 24, 2025, India’s defence exports are growing steadily, in tandem with the rise of indigenous defence manufacturing. In 2013–14, India exported defence equipment worth Rs 686 crore. By 2023–24, this figure had soared to Rs 21,083, a remarkable 30-fold increase in ten years. Looking at a broader timeline, India’s defence exports rose 21 times from Rs 4,312 crore during 2004–14 to Rs 88,319 crore during 2014–24. This rapid growth reflects India’s emerging strength in the global defence market.
Annual growth has also been impressive. From 2022–23 to 2023–24, defence exports increased by 32.5 per cent, rising from Rs 15,920 crore to Rs 21,083 crore. India’s key defence exports mainly include bulletproof jackets, Dornier (Do-228) aircraft, Chetak helicopters, fast interceptor boats, and lightweight torpedoes.
Currently, India exports defence equipment to over 100 countries. In 2023–24, the United States, France, and Armenia were the top importers of Indian defence goods. Boots produced under the ‘Made in Bihar’ initiative are now being used by the Russian Army. The Russian interest shown by various countries highlights the high standards of India’s defence manufacturing. The government has set an ambitious target of achieving ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029. This will not only strengthen India’s economy but also establish its identity as a global hub for defence manufacturing.
BrahMos Missiles Encircling China
In April 2025, the second aircraft carrying Indian-made BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles landed in the Philippines. This delivery came amid reports that China was supplying arms to Pakistan, anticipating possible Indian military action following the Phalgam terrorist attack. The BrahMos missile deal with the Philippines is valued at $375 million. The first batch had already been delivered in April 2024.
The Philippines’ decision to import BrahMos from India is part of a broader defence export policy and a strategic countermeasure to address threats posed by China’s growing influence in South Asia. Other Southeast Asian nations such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore, facing similar security concerns, are also in talks with India for BrahMos. Beyond South East Asia, countries including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Korea, Algeria, Greece, and Bulgaria have expressed interest in acquiring the system.
The BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, can be launched from land, sea, or air. Its global reputation is rapidly increasing. Despite China’s strong opposition to India’s transfer of BrahMos to Southeast Asia, India continues to move forward, rejecting these objections. This, too, serves as a response to China’s hostile actions towards India.
India, which once depended heavily on foreign suppliers for its military needs, is now producing arms and defence systems not only for itself but also for the international market. It has transformed from an arms importer to an arms exporter. India’s ambition is to emerge as a leading global exporter of weapons and security technologies. This shift marks a major step towards becoming an indomitable military power.
Operation Sindoor: A Test of Indigenous Strength
Operation Sindoor demonstrated that India’s domestically developed technologies are superior to foreign alternatives. Indian-made defence systems played a crucial role in repelling Pakistan’s attempted attacks on Indian cities and military installations. India successfully neutralised Chinese PL-15 missiles launched by Pakistan, as well as Turkish drones and rocket assaults. The weapons Pakistan acquired from China, assuming their superiority, proved ineffective against India’s own advanced technologies and electronic warfare systems.
Significantly, the majority of the weapons used in Operation Sindoor were developed in India, giving the country a clear strategic edge. The operation was not merely a military mission, it also served as a proving ground for India’s indigenous weaponry and defence systems. It offered a real-world test of their performance in combat scenarios and provided a strong message to the world: Indian technology is on par with, if not superior to, foreign systems.
As China’s defence stock market declines, international interest in Indian-made weapons and defence systems is growing. The success of Operation Sindoor and the rise in defence exports highlight India’s emergence as a global military and defence technology leader.
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