India’s defence export basket has changed dramatically in recent years missiles overtook ships to become the country’s largest major arms export category in 2025. These figures (from SIPRI) show that India is increasingly present in the global defence market and its missile technology is getting more important there.
In 2025 missiles constituted almost 41% of India’s major arms transfers as per SIPRI data analysis. This is a huge increase compared to the period 2014–2019 when missiles accounted for just 1.2% of India’s major arms transfers (see figure 4).
The change reflects a sea change in India’s defence export portfolio previously dominated by aircraft and naval platforms where artillery was second largest in 2025 (37% of major arms transfers), followed by air-defence systems (nearly 20%).
From Aircraft and Ships to Missiles
The composition of India’s defence exports has changed dramatically in the last two decades. In 2008-13 aircraft and aircraft parts accounted for about 71% of major arms exports; ships another 16%; missiles and air-defence systems none at all during that period.
Things started to change in the following years as India increased its defence manufacturing capacity and began increasing international sales of military equipment.
Between 2014 and 2019 missiles were present in India’s major arms transfer data with a share of 1.2% and between 2020 and 2025 they increased further to become 16% of total major arms exports (see Table 3).
In the 2020–2025 period ships were still the largest category with a 45% share, followed by artillery (nearly 18%). But for 2025 alone missiles moved into first place.
BrahMos Exports Could Strengthen India's Position
The demand for Indian missile systems could give further impetus to the country’s defence export ambitions. One of the major systems that is getting international attention is BrahMos supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India and Russia.
India and the Philippines signed a $375-million BrahMos missile deal in 2022. The Philippines is reportedly looking at another deal of $700–800 million (five more systems + about 60 missiles) possibly involving as many as five more systems.
India has also broadened defence-related discussions with several other countries (Indonesia and Vietnam in particular). Markets discussed include the UAE, Thailand, South Africa and Brazil.
India's Defence Export Ambitions
The latest figures show that missiles, artillery and air-defence equipment are becoming more important in India’s defence exports together these three categories accounted for more than 97% of the major arms transfers recorded by India in 2025.
India’s overall defence exports also touched a record Rs 38,424 crore in the financial year 2025–26 (defence manufacturing and export activities expanded in India).
Ships to missiles: The shift from ships to missiles is an important step in India’s defence trade. International interest in Indian made military systems is growing and missile exports could continue to be part of the country’s strategy to improve its position in the global defence industry.
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