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BrahMos supersonic cruise missile (Img: Pinterest)
New Delhi: For years, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has been the face of India’s growing defence export ambitions. But India’s next big opportunity in the global arms market may not come from a single powerful weapon system.
Instead, the future could belong to drones, autonomous weapons, precision-guided munitions, electronic warfare systems and advanced defence technologies that are reshaping modern battlefields.
India’s defence exports have already reached record levels, touching ₹38,424 crore in FY26, a significant jump from the previous year. With exports reaching more than 80 countries, India is now aiming for a much bigger target of ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029-30.
The nature of warfare has changed dramatically in recent years. Conflicts across the world have shown that expensive fighter jets and missiles are no longer the only deciding factors. Nations are increasingly relying on low-cost drones, loitering weapons, precision strikes and autonomous systems that can deliver high impact at a lower cost.
India’s defence industry is now focusing on these emerging technologies to expand its global footprint.
One of the systems attracting attention is KAL, a long-range one-way attack drone developed by Noida-based defence company IG Defence.
The drone is designed for long-range operations and is claimed to have a range of up to 1,000 km, an endurance of several hours and the ability to carry a significant payload. The company is exploring international opportunities for the system after securing necessary approvals.
Experts believe that the next defence export opportunity may not only come from selling complete weapons but also from supplying the advanced technology inside them.
Modern warfare increasingly depends on:
These technologies determine how accurately and effectively a weapon performs.
According to defence industry experts, India’s ability to develop these "brains of weapons" could open a much larger global market.
BrahMos has already helped India establish itself as a defence exporter, with countries like the Philippines becoming buyers of the missile system.
However, India’s export portfolio is now expanding beyond missiles.
The country is pushing systems such as:
Both private companies and defence public sector units are contributing to this growth.
India’s ambition is no longer limited to becoming a buyer of military equipment. The focus has shifted towards becoming a major global supplier.
The next phase of growth will depend on developing a strong defence ecosystem involving startups, private manufacturers, research institutions and government agencies.
BrahMos may have opened the door for India in the global defence market, but the next generation of drones, smart weapons and autonomous systems could determine how far the country goes.
