DRDO Equipments: India’s defence industry could soon see a big jump in exports after the success of Operation Sindoor. On Thursday, 29 May 2025, DRDO Chairperson Samir V Kamat spoke at the CII Annual Business Summit and said that Indian-made military equipment has now proven itself in real combat. He explained that when other countries see that these weapons have been used in war and performed well, they will trust Indian defence products more.
According to Timesnow News, he said, “I am hopeful that exports will increase after Operation Sindoor because now these (equipments) have been war-tested.” This new label of “war-tested” has added strong value to India’s defence exports and is expected to bring more buyers from different parts of the world.
Kamat also said that India already exports defence equipment to more than 100 countries, but now even more countries who were not buying earlier may become interested.
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He said, “Already we are exporting to hundred countries… and some other countries who are not buying us right now will also be interested in buying our equipment.” According to him, this success in the battlefield has given Indian weapons the kind of trust and credibility that global buyers look for.
Private Companies will join AMCA Fighter Jet Project
Along with rising defence exports, India is also opening up new ways to include private companies in major defence projects. On May 27, the Ministry of Defence approved a new plan to speed up work on India’s fifth-generation fighter jet called AMCA, which stands for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. This new plan gives both public and private companies a chance to work together and help build the aircraft.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will lead this project. Companies like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and private firms can now join either as individual bidders or as partners through joint ventures or consortia. But they have to follow Indian rules.
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This new system is made to bring faster work, better technology, and new ideas into India’s aircraft development. With private companies joining in, the government hopes the project will move ahead quickly and compete with top global defence makers.
Kamat also shared the expected timeline for the AMCA project. He said that the first prototype should fly by the end of 2029. After that, full development is likely to finish by 2034. Production is expected to begin in 2035. Speaking at the same event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the AMCA is a big step for India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ missions. The plan is to build five prototypes at first, and once those are tested and approved, the government will move ahead with mass production.
