Hyderabad: India’s defence goods production has hit unprecedented growth, reaching Rs 1.7 lakh crore in fiscal year 2025-26, with exports at Rs 38,000 crore, establishing India as a trustworthy exporter of defence goods and technologies globally, according to a report released by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC).Policy changes along with increased procurement have ramped up the contribution of MSMEs significantly to the defence supply chain of India, said the report ‘MSMEs – A Force Multiplier for India’s Defence Ecosystem Edition 2,’ released at the second edition of the Defence MSME Manufacturers Forum held by ICC on Saturday.Hyderabad, widely regarded as India’s defence capital, continues to play a pivotal role in this transformation, the report added. The city is home to leading defence public sector undertakings, DRDO laboratories, missile and aerospace manufacturing facilities, defence electronics companies, advanced engineering firms and a rapidly expanding network of technology-driven MSMEs and startups.Held under the theme ‘Make in India for the World: Empower MSMEs for India’s Defence & Aerospace Future,’ the forum focused on expanding MSME participation in defence supply chains, promoting indigenisation and deepening collaboration among industry, academia, research bodies and govt. The conclave brought together govt officials, defence public sector units, original equipment manufacturers, startups and MSMEs to strengthen India’s defence and aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.
