THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Bal Ram Sampla
Geopolitics
For a long time, India was famous for buying almost all of its military weapons from other countries, like Russia, Europe, and the United States. Today, that is changing fast. India is learning to build its own weapons and is starting to sell them to the rest of the world.
The Success of the BrahMos Missile
The biggest success story in this shift is the BrahMos missile. Built together by India and Russia, it is one of the fastest and most dangerous missiles in the world.
For years, only India’s military used it. But recently, other countries have started buying it. The Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia have all placed massive orders. Today, the BrahMos company has over $6 billion in orders, proving that India can build world-class technology that other nations want to buy.
Why Are Exports Growing?
India’s weapon sales hit a record high of over $4 billion this past year. There are three main reasons for this rapid growth:
(1) Better Weapons: India is no longer just selling simple gear like helmets and body armor. It is now exporting major systems, including the Akash air defense system and heavy artillery guns.
(2) Private Companies: The government opened the doors for private Indian companies to build military gear. Today, private businesses make up nearly half of all India’s defense exports.
(3) Global Trust: Major countries are noticing India’s progress. Armenia has bought billions of dollars in Indian rockets and missiles, while Western companies like Boeing buy parts made in India for their own aircraft.
Summary
India still buys certain advanced parts from abroad, so the journey is not fully complete. However, the massive success of the BrahMos missile shows that India is no longer just a customer in the global weapons market it is slowly becoming a powerful creator.
Source:
https://youtu.be/kKxdoN2cZL4?si=2zL-H5XpcbziobHG
