Operation Sindoor Proves Indian Arms In Combat; Exports Set To Rise: DRDO Chief

India’s defence exports are set to rise following Operation Sindoor, said DRDO Chairperson Samir V Kamat on Thursday.

He stated that indigenous equipment used in the operation is now ‘war-tested’, boosting its appeal.

At the CII Annual Business Summit 2025, Kamat told reporters that Operation Sindoor has raised buyer confidence.

“I am hopeful that exports will increase after Operation Sindoor because now this equipment has been war-tested,” he said.

The DRDO Chairperson added that other nations are now more likely to buy this tested equipment.

“I sincerely hope that this equipment will go to the hundred countries we already export to, and also to new ones,” Samir V Kamat said.

India Expands Defence Outreach

India currently exports defence gear to over 100 nations. DRDO expects this list to grow post-operation.

The DRDO Chairperson stressed that real-time use of equipment in Operation Sindoor would increase global interest.

He also spoke about the newly approved execution model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.

The defence ministry approved this model on 27 May to strengthen domestic capabilities.

The Aeronautical Development Agency will lead the project, working with industry partners.

The model allows both private and public firms to bid, work independently, or form joint ventures or consortia.

All bidding parties must follow Indian laws.

AMCA Project To Involve Private Players

“In this model, HAL can bid. Private companies can bid. They can also bid as a joint venture,” Kamat said. “This opens the fighter aircraft programme to private players.”

He said India aims to complete AMCA development by 2034. Production should start in 2035.

The first prototype is scheduled to fly by the end of 2029.

Earlier, at the same summit, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh shared more on the AMCA project.

He announced that the government and industry partners will build five prototypes of the 5th-generation fighter jet.

Singh called it a major step for the ‘Make in India’ initiative. He said this is the first time private firms will join public sector units in a major defence programme, promoting true Atmanirbharta in defence.

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