This achievement underscores a remarkable transformation in India’s defence ecosystem — from being one of the world’s largest arms importers to steadily emerging as a global defence manufacturing and export hub.

The announcement also came alongside a significant milestone in India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities.

At Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik campus, Singh inaugurated new production lines for the indigenously developed Tejas Mk1A light combat aircraft and the HTT-40 trainer aircraft, both of which stand as symbols of India’s growing self-reliance in defence technology.

The minister’s visit, which included witnessing the maiden flight of the TejasMk1A, was not just ceremonial — it was a celebration of the nation’s hard-won progress in defence innovation and manufacturing.

A vision rooted in self-reliance

The record-breaking export figure is more than a statistic — it represents the fruition of a clear and consistent policy direction.

Over the past decade, India’s defence manufacturing landscape has been reshaped under the guiding vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

The government’s push to indigenize production, encourage private participation, and modernise public sector units has created a fertile environment for innovation and growth.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while announcing the milestone, set an ambitious new target: $34 billion (Rs 3 lakh crore) in domestic defence manufacturing and $5.7 billion (Rs50,000 crore) in defence exports by 2029.

This roadmap signals not only confidence but also a long-term strategic commitment to sustaining and expanding India’s manufacturing base. It aligns with the government’s broader aim of positioning India among the top nations in defence production — one that builds for itself and the world.

HAL: The backbone of India’s aerospace ambition

HAL’s Nashik facility provided a fitting backdrop for the Defence Minister’s announcement.

Once synonymous with the assembly of Soviet-era MiG aircraft, the plant has undergone a complete transformation into a modern aerospace hub producing Sukhoi-30MKI jets and now, the TejasMk1A.

Singh’s remarks captured this transition beautifully when he said, “Once, this place was known for producing MiG aircraft, but today it has become a modern production hub for Sukhoi jets. HAL has played the role of a strong pillar for India.”

By inaugurating the third production line for the Tejas Mk1A and the second for the HTT-40 trainer aircraft, HAL has demonstrated both capacity expansion and technological evolution.

The Tejas Mk1A represents a new generation of indigenous engineering — a 4.5-generation multi-role fighter aircraft equipped with advanced avionics, enhanced radar, and in-flight refuelling capabilities.

Capable of executing air defence, ground attack, and maritime strike missions, it places India firmly among the few nations that can design and produce such advanced platforms.

The HTT-40, on the other hand, marks India’s growing competence in producing world-class basic trainer aircraft, designed to meet the Indian Air Force’s evolving needs.

Together, these aircraft symbolise India’s maturing capability across the spectrum of aviation — from training to combat.

A nation’s pride takes flight

The sight of three indigenously produced aircraft — the Tejas Mk1A, HTT-40, and Sukhoi-30MKI — taking to the skies in Nashik was more than a demonstration of engineering prowess. It was a soaring testament to national pride and progress.

“When I witnessed the flights of the SU-30, Mk1A, and HTT-40 today, my heart swelled with pride. This is a true example of self-reliance,” the Defence Minister said.

HAL’s new production lines are expected to substantially boost India’s aircraft manufacturing capacity, ensuring faster deliveries to the Indian Air Force and creating export opportunities.

More importantly, they will generate skilled employment, support local supply chains, and foster a vibrant ecosystem of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that contribute to the defence value chain.

The Nashik campus, Singh noted, embodies both the spirit of innovation and the cultural ethos of India.

Drawing a symbolic parallel with the city’s heritage, he remarked that Nashik, the land of Lord Shiva, represents both creation and destruction — creation in the form of building indigenous defence capabilities and destruction in the form of deterring adversaries.

“HAL here stands as a symbol of the nation’s defence strength,” he said.

A rising global exporter

India’s defence export story is rapidly becoming one of the most inspiring economic narratives of the decade.

From exporting only a few small-scale defence components in the early 2010s to now supplying equipment and systems to over 85 countries, India’s transformation has been extraordinary.

The range of exports includes advanced radar systems, coastal surveillance networks, offshore patrol vessels, and now, indigenously built aircraft and armoured vehicles.

Private sector participation has been pivotal in this rise. Indian defence start-ups and large enterprises alike are collaborating with global manufacturers, adopting new technologies, and achieving international quality standards.

The export surge also reflects growing global trust in Indian-made products, which combine cost-effectiveness with reliability and innovation.

The government has complemented these efforts with a strong policy framework.

Simplified export licensing, dedicated defence corridors in northern India's Uttar Pradesh and the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and strategic tie-ups with friendly nations have collectively accelerated India’s ascent as a defence exporter.

Defence attaches stationed abroad are also playing an active role in promoting Indian products to foreign markets, further amplifying the country’s presence on the global stage.

Empowering the future of defence manufacturing

The path ahead is filled with optimism. With the $34 billion domestic manufacturing target by 2029, India is not only strengthening its self-reliance but also laying the foundation for sustained economic growth and technological leadership.

The defence sector’s multiplier effect extends far beyond national security — it drives employment, fuels research, and catalyses innovation across industries such as electronics, materials, and artificial intelligence.

The Tejas Mk1A and HTT-40 programs are expected to inspire further innovation in next-generation technologies, including unmanned aerial systems, advanced radar networks, and space-based defence systems.

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), public sector units, and private industries are working in unison to realise the dream of a self-reliant, secure, and technologically advanced India.

Rajnath Singh’s words in Nashikencapsulate this optimism: “Today, we are witnessing not just aircraft taking flight, but the aspirations of a nation soaring high.”

His statement captures the sentiment of a country that has moved beyond dependence — a nation that now designs, builds, and exports with pride.