Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Sunday, July 26, 2026, shared remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Mann Ki Baat, underscoring India's accelerating strides in defence production, defence exports, and political cooperation with friendly nations.

Context

In the quoted remarks, PM Modi stated: 'Whether it is defence production, defence exports, or political cooperation with friendly nations — India is continuously scaling new heights.' The Prime Minister specifically referenced a major agreement for BrahMos and Astra missiles concluded during his visit to Indonesia earlier this month, describing it as evidence of the world's growing trust in India's defence equipment and technology.

Dr. Jitendra Singh amplified the remarks on X (formerly Twitter), signalling the government's intent to keep India's defence export momentum in public focus.

Policy Backdrop

India's defence export journey has been one of the most striking transformations of the past decade. Exports that stood at under ₹1,000 crore in 2014 have climbed to over ₹20,000 crore by 2024-25, driven by missiles, aircraft, and naval systems supplied to friendly nations.

The Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy of 2020 set an ambitious target of ₹35,000 crore in annual defence exports by 2025, a benchmark that has shaped procurement and indigenisation decisions across the sector. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile — a joint venture between India and Russia — became the flagship export product after India concluded its first BrahMos export contract with the Philippines in 2022, paving the way for further deals.

The Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), represents India's expanding portfolio of domestically produced advanced weapons systems now entering export markets.

Stakeholders and Impact

Indonesia, a key ASEAN member and strategic partner, deepening its defence ties with India reflects a broader Indo-Pacific realignment. For Indian defence manufacturers — both public sector undertakings and private firms in the aerospace and missile supply chains — export contracts translate into scale, technology maturation, and foreign exchange earnings.

The agreement, if formalised at the scale suggested, would mark one of India's largest single-country defence export deals and reinforce Atmanirbhar Bharat as a credible geopolitical brand, not merely a domestic manufacturing slogan. Friendly nations across Southeast Asia and beyond are increasingly evaluating Indian platforms as alternatives to Western and Chinese suppliers.

What's Next

Analysts will watch for formal confirmation and contract details from the Ministry of Defence regarding the Indonesia BrahMos and Astra agreement, as well as parliamentary updates on progress toward the ₹35,000 crore export target. Further announcements are expected at upcoming ASEAN-India defence dialogues and bilateral summits.

India's trajectory as a net defence exporter — once a distant aspiration — is now a live policy reality, and the Indonesia deal, when confirmed, could serve as a template for similar arrangements across the Indo-Pacific.