India marked a milestone in its journey of defence self-reliance as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced ₹25,000 crore in defence exports during an event at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) Nashik campus, while inaugurating new production lines for indigenous fighter and trainer aircraft.
During his address on October 17, 2025, Rajnath Singh declared that India's defence exports have soared to ₹25,000 crore, a significant rise from under ₹1,000 crore just a few years ago.
The Ministry of Defence shared on X that the country now targets ₹3,00,000 crore in domestic defence production and ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029, aligning with the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision. This record reflects India's expanding influence in global defence manufacturing.
At the event, Singh inaugurated HAL’s third production line for the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet and second for the HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft. Once associated with MiG production, the Nashik facility has transformed into a key player for indigenous platforms like the Su-30 and Light Combat Aircraft.
The highlight of the event was the maiden flight of the Tejas Mk1A, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter, featuring advanced avionics, air-to-air refuelling, and improved combat versatility. The aircraft is poised to strengthen India’s air dominance capabilities and export potential in the coming years.
Read More: HAL Launches Third Production Line for Tejas Aircraft in Nashik!
The HTT-40 trainer aircraft, designed for basic pilot training, also received a boost with a second production line commissioned by HAL. This signals the graduation of India’s domestic aviation sector from licence-based production to design-led innovation.
Drawing from Nashik’s spiritual identity, Singh compared the site to the power of Lord Shiva, calling it a symbol of self-reliance and India’s capability to deter and defend. HAL continues to anchor the country's aerospace ambitions with indigenous manufacturing gains.
India's defence sector has reached a major milestone with ₹25,000 crore in exports and advancements in indigenous aircraft manufacturing. HAL’s Nashik facility has become a critical hub for this transformation, symbolising technological progress and sovereign capability in defence.
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Published on: Oct 18, 2025, 10:37 AM IST
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