India’s defense exports increased by 30 times, Russian Army fighting war by wearing shoes made in Bihar

India’s defense production has reached a record level of Rs 1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, with an increase of 174 percent compared to 2014-15. This figure seems to be realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ dream. According to a report by the Ministry of Defense, defense exports in FY 2023-24 have also reached a record 21,083 crore, which has increased by 30 times in a decade. Under this, India sends defense equipment to more than 100 countries.

Target to produce 3 lakh crores

India is now running a target of Rs 3 lakh crore in defense production by 2029 to become a global defense manufacturing center. Also, its goal is to increase defense exports by Rs 50 thousand crore by 2029. The report said that in the defense budget, an increase of Rs 2.53 lakh crore in 2013-14 to Rs 6.81 lakh crore in 2025-26 shows that the defense budget has focused on strengthening the military infrastructure.

Developing advanced military platforms has boosted the increase in defense production, including a bow artery gun system, Advanced Todd Artillery Gun System, Chief War Tank (MBT) Arjun, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Advanced Light Helicopter (Alh), Akash Missile System. Apart from this, novel aircraft carriers, submarines, frigates and patrol ships are also part of it.

Now 65% equipment is made in the country

The report quoted the Ministry of Defense as saying that now 65 percent defense equipment is made in the country itself. But earlier 65-70 percent equipment were purchased from abroad. India’s strong defense industrial base includes 16 DPSUs, over 430 licensed companies and around 16,000 MSMEs. According to the report, the contribution of private sector to the country’s total defense production is close to 21 percent.

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India’s defense exports have increased by 32.5% year-on-year, which has increased from Rs 15,920 crore in FY 2022-23 to Rs 21,083 crore in FY 2023-24. India’s export portfolio includes bulletproof jackets, dornier (do-22) aircraft, Chetak helicopter, fast interceptor boat and light torpedo.

‘Made in Bihar’ boot on Russian army

Apart from this, now ‘Made in Bihar’ shoes are part of the gear of the Russian army and soldiers wearing shoes made in Bihar land in the battlefield. India now exports defense equipment to more than 100 countries, in which America, France and Armenia are emerging as top buyers in 2023-24.

A great ecosystem has also been prepared for innovation through the Innovation for Defense Excellence (Idex) launched by the Ministry of Defense. Idex has been given a grant of Rs 1.5 crore for the development of new technology. Idex has been allocated Rs 449.62 crore to further increase self -reliance in defense technology.