When was the last time you saw a country celebrate a fall in global rankings? Well, India just did. And rightly so. India, once the world’s largest importer of defence equipment, has seen its dependence on foreign weapons and technology sharply reduce — a shift that has thrilled defence experts, policymakers, and economists alike.
Back in 2010, India accounted for a whopping 11% of global defence imports — the highest for any country. It was followed by Pakistan at 9%, with other countries like Australia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, the US, and China trailing behind.
Fast forward to 2024, and the global picture has dramatically changed. Ukraine, thanks to the ongoing war with Russia, now tops the list, accounting for 18% of total imports. Poland and the US have taken the next two spots.
And India? It has slipped to fourth place, tied with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Australia, with just 4% of global imports. But this drop isn’t a failure — it’s a victory.
Why the Drop is Actually a Big Win
This decline signals India’s steady march towards defence indigenisation. The Indian government has invested heavily in building domestic defence production capabilities. The national defence budget has surged from ₹3.59 lakh crore in 2017–18 to ₹6.81 lakh crore in 2025–26, with a large share directed towards developing home-grown fighter jets, missiles, warships, and small arms.
The results are showing. India’s defence exports have skyrocketed — from just ₹1,500 crore in 2017 to ₹23,600 crore in 2024. That’s an incredible growth rate of 41% annually.
From Buyer to Seller: India’s Defence Makeover
India is no longer just arming itself; it’s supplying to the world. This export boom is turning India’s defence industry into a growing economic force, creating jobs, boosting manufacturing, and reducing reliance on global powers.
So this rare case of falling in rankings? It’s the fall India had been waiting for.
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