New Delhi: India is evaluating the export potential of its High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) as part of its defence exports to markets in Asia, Africa, and the Indo Pacific. The off-road-capable military and tactical vehicles developed by BEML, a company under India’s defence ministry, can be used for mounting superstructures like radars, missile systems, etc. High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) in their different variants—4×4, 6×6, 8×8, 10×10, and 12×12—are the operational backbone of the Indian Army, critical for rapid mobility and deployment across deserts, riverine belts, and high-altitude terrain.&nbsp;Sources told WION that the export potential of the HMVs is part of “India’s expanding defence exports and diplomacy toolkit” and they are “cost competitive, rugged, and simpler to maintain compared to Western peers”. The mobility vehicles have helped both at India’s northern border, where they have helped in the rapid movement of tanks and missiles, and at the western border, where they helped in the quick mobilisation of missile batteries.&nbsp;India’s key focus, under its Make in India policy, has been mandatory indigenous content and more public-private partnership. BEML’s HMV 6x6 and 8x8 platforms are fully indigenous, with recent orders like the ₹293.81 crore contract (July 2025) for 150 HMV 6x6 units. The bid for export comes as the government targets $5 billion in annual defence exports. Besides, some private companies have supplied HMVs in Africa, which is seen as a major upcoming market.

The mobility vehicles have helped both at India’s northern border, where they have helped in the rapid movement of tanks and missiles, and at the western border, where they helped in the quick mobilisation of missile batteries.

New Delhi: India is evaluating the export potential of its High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) as part of its defence exports to markets in Asia, Africa, and the Indo Pacific. The off-road-capable military and tactical vehicles developed by BEML, a company under India’s defence ministry, can be used for mounting superstructures like radars, missile systems, etc. High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) in their different variants—4×4, 6×6, 8×8, 10×10, and 12×12—are the operational backbone of the Indian Army, critical for rapid mobility and deployment across deserts, riverine belts, and high-altitude terrain. Sources told WION that the export potential of the HMVs is part of “India’s expanding defence exports and diplomacy toolkit” and they are “cost competitive, rugged, and simpler to maintain compared to Western peers”. The mobility vehicles have helped both at India’s northern border, where they have helped in the rapid movement of tanks and missiles, and at the western border, where they helped in the quick mobilisation of missile batteries. India’s key focus, under its Make in India policy, has been mandatory indigenous content and more public-private partnership. BEML’s HMV 6x6 and 8x8 platforms are fully indigenous, with recent orders like the ₹293.81 crore contract (July 2025) for 150 HMV 6x6 units. The bid for export comes as the government targets $5 billion in annual defence exports. Besides, some private companies have supplied HMVs in Africa, which is seen as a major upcoming market.

The mobility vehicles have helped both at India’s northern border, where they have helped in the rapid movement of tanks and missiles, and at the western border, where they helped in the quick mobilisation of missile batteries.

India looks for export potential of its high mobility vehicles

Over the past decade, India’s defence sector has witnessed a massive surge powered by strategic policy reforms and a push towards self-reliance. Defence Ministry data shows that domestic defence production surged to Rs 1.27 lakh crore in 2023-24. 

India's growing defence exports: Which countries import equipment from India?

In a major boost to its defence capabilities, India received the last of its 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft from Spain. The &nbsp;transport aircraft with latest technology is set to replace the ageing Avro aircraft of the IAF. the aircraft is hailed for its versatility and efficiency in a range of military operations.&nbsp;The last of the 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft was received by Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik, along with senior Indian Air Force officials at the Airbus Defence and Space assembly line in Seville, according to the Indian mission, reported PTI.&nbsp;"The delivery, two months ahead of schedule, marks an important milestone in strengthening India's defence capabilities," it wrote on social media.&nbsp;Features and Capabilities of Airbus C-295 Military Transport Aircraft&nbsp;<ul><li>The aircraft has a load capacity of 5-10 tonne with contemporary technology</li><li>It is an efficient tactical transport aircraft having a flight endurance of up to 11 hours</li><li>It is set to replace the IAF’s ageing Avro fleet</li></ul>India's deal with Airbus&nbsp;In September 2021, India signed a contract with Airbus Defence &amp; Space of Spain, for acquisition of 56 C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF).&nbsp;Under the deal agreed, the company is to deliver a total of 56 aircraft of which 16 has now been delivered by Air Bus, the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India.&nbsp;For manufacturing these aircraft, TATA Aircraft Complex was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra &nbsp;Modi and his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez at the TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) Campus in Vadodara, Gujarat, in October last year.&nbsp;From manufacture to assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft will be done at TASL.&nbsp;Defence public sector units such as Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd will also play a contributing role in the development of the aircraft.&nbsp;

In September 2021, India signed a contract with Airbus Defence & Space of Spain, for acquisition of 56 C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

In a major boost to its defence capabilities, India received the last of its 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft from Spain. The transport aircraft with latest technology is set to replace the ageing Avro aircraft of the IAF. the aircraft is hailed for its versatility and efficiency in a range of military operations. The last of the 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft was received by Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik, along with senior Indian Air Force officials at the Airbus Defence and Space assembly line in Seville, according to the Indian mission, reported PTI. "The delivery, two months ahead of schedule, marks an important milestone in strengthening India's defence capabilities," it wrote on social media. Features and Capabilities of Airbus C-295 Military Transport Aircraft The aircraft has a load capacity of 5-10 tonne with contemporary technology It is an efficient tactical transport aircraft having a flight endurance of up to 11 hours It is set to replace the IAF’s ageing Avro fleet India's deal with Airbus In September 2021, India signed a contract with Airbus Defence & Space of Spain, for acquisition of 56 C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Under the deal agreed, the company is to deliver a total of 56 aircraft of which 16 has now been delivered by Air Bus, the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India. For manufacturing these aircraft, TATA Aircraft Complex was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez at the TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) Campus in Vadodara, Gujarat, in October last year. From manufacture to assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft will be done at TASL. Defence public sector units such as Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd will also play a contributing role in the development of the aircraft.

In September 2021, India signed a contract with Airbus Defence &amp; Space of Spain, for acquisition of 56 C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

What is Airbus C-295 military aircraft delivered to India by Spain

After the Operation Sindoor of May 2025, India announced that it wouldn't just produce weapons for itself, it would begin exporting defence systems globally. Dr PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to PM Modi, visited the &nbsp;DRDO lab in Bengaluru to signal a high-level commitment to the staff.&nbsp;Since the turn of the decade, India has significantly boosted its defence export capabilities. In 2020-21, India's defence export stood at 8,434&nbsp;crore. Four years later, it stands at 23,622 crore, a three times increase in Defence capabilities. India exports to 80 countries defence equipment such as radar systems, artillery guns, missiles, offshore patrol vessels, bulletproof jackets, and electronic warfare equipment. Over 75 per cent of India's capital defence budget is earmarked for domestic manufacturing.Since Operation Sindoor India has not only propelled Indian indigenous defence manufacturing but has also displayed Indian missiles and weapon systems capability globally. India's Akash surface-to-air missiles intercepted enemy drones, DRDO's electronic warfare systems disrupted enemy radar, and Indian-built loitering munitions executed precision strikes without endangering the pilots.&nbsp;<h2>Major upcoming systems&nbsp;</h2>BrahMos‑II hypersonic missile: It is 1500 km in range and Mach&nbsp;8 in speed. This ambitious defence project is a multi-platform utility missile capable of being launched by land, sea, and air.AMCA stealth fighter: It is a 5th-generation jet by DRDO &amp; HAL. The first flight is expected by 2026, with serial production likely by 2032–33.Project Kusha air defence: It is a multi-layered defence system for intercepting missiles, jets, and drones up to 400 km in range, aims to match the Russian S‑400 surface-to-air missile system, and will be operational by 2028. VSHORADS: Indigenous shoulder-fired missiles with an approximate range of 6 km. It will be laced with IR seeker systems or commonly called the eye of the missile. It is a sensor used in missiles and other weapons to detect and track targets based on the infrared radiation they emit. Rudram‑2 &amp; Rudram‑3 missiles:&nbsp;&nbsp;Precision strike missiles for striking enemy radars, air defences, communication units with ranges for Rudram‑2, Rudram‑3 at 250–300 km, and 550+ km respectively.&nbsp; CLAWs DEW system:&nbsp;This is India's first Directed energy weapon laser against drones, micro‑missiles and mortars.&nbsp;These weapons, once developed and tested, can be exported globally. Over 400 defence weapons and equipment, which were in India's import list, have been delisted. India is targeting 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029. In April 2025, India has delivered the second batch of Brahmos missiles to the Philippines. Reliance Defence has secured 600 crore worth of export orders from Germany's leading defence manufacturer Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH. Given Europe's manufacturing constraints, attention to decrease reliance on the US defence exports and cost-effectiveness of Indian Defence components positions Indian defence companies in a unique advantageous position to capitalise on rising export opportunities. &nbsp;

India's Defence Exports have surged to a record number, approximately 23,622 crore ($2.76 billion) in FY 24-25. This marks a 12 % YoY increase from ₹21,083 crore in FY 2023–24. Operation Sindoor have provided a global display of Indian indigenous defence manufacturing. 

After the Operation Sindoor of May 2025, India announced that it wouldn't just produce weapons for itself, it would begin exporting defence systems globally. Dr PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to PM Modi, visited the DRDO lab in Bengaluru to signal a high-level commitment to the staff. Since the turn of the decade, India has significantly boosted its defence export capabilities. In 2020-21, India's defence export stood at 8,434 crore. Four years later, it stands at 23,622 crore, a three times increase in Defence capabilities. India exports to 80 countries defence equipment such as radar systems, artillery guns, missiles, offshore patrol vessels, bulletproof jackets, and electronic warfare equipment. Over 75 per cent of India's capital defence budget is earmarked for domestic manufacturing. Since Operation Sindoor India has not only propelled Indian indigenous defence manufacturing but has also displayed Indian missiles and weapon systems capability globally. India's Akash surface-to-air missiles intercepted enemy drones, DRDO's electronic warfare systems disrupted enemy radar, and Indian-built loitering munitions executed precision strikes without endangering the pilots. Major upcoming systems BrahMos‑II hypersonic missile: It is 1500 km in range and Mach 8 in speed. This ambitious defence project is a multi-platform utility missile capable of being launched by land, sea, and air. AMCA stealth fighter: It is a 5th-generation jet by DRDO & HAL. The first flight is expected by 2026, with serial production likely by 2032–33. Project Kusha air defence: It is a multi-layered defence system for intercepting missiles, jets, and drones up to 400 km in range, aims to match the Russian S‑400 surface-to-air missile system, and will be operational by 2028. VSHORADS: Indigenous shoulder-fired missiles with an approximate range of 6 km. It will be laced with IR seeker systems or commonly called the eye of the missile. It is a sensor used in missiles and other weapons to detect and track targets based on the infrared radiation they emit. Rudram‑2 & Rudram‑3 missiles: Precision strike missiles for striking enemy radars, air defences, communication units with ranges for Rudram‑2, Rudram‑3 at 250–300 km, and 550+ km respectively. CLAWs DEW system: This is India's first Directed energy weapon laser against drones, micro‑missiles and mortars. These weapons, once developed and tested, can be exported globally. Over 400 defence weapons and equipment, which were in India's import list, have been delisted. India is targeting 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029. In April 2025, India has delivered the second batch of Brahmos missiles to the Philippines. Reliance Defence has secured 600 crore worth of export orders from Germany's leading defence manufacturer Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH. Given Europe's manufacturing constraints, attention to decrease reliance on the US defence exports and cost-effectiveness of Indian Defence components positions Indian defence companies in a unique advantageous position to capitalise on rising export opportunities.

India's Defence Exports have surged to a record number, approximately 23,622 crore ($2.76 billion) in FY 24-25. This marks a 12 % YoY increase from ₹21,083 crore in FY 2023–24. Operation Sindoor have provided a global display of Indian indigenous defence manufacturing.&nbsp;

Operation Sindoor sparks export boom: Hypersonic missiles, stealth jets & laser weapons to give boost to India's soft power

The Indian defense industry has been steadily expanding over the past decade, the Indian government has been actively promoting defense exports which AIDS self-reliance and also boosts the economic growth and now with a 23-fold increase India's defense exports are at an all-time high in just a span of nine years India's defense exports have reached an all-time high worth in nearly 1900 million dollars in 2022 and 2023 surging from a mere 82 million dollars in 2013 and 2014. The remarkable increase reflects India's progress in the global defense manufacturing sector with exports reaching more than 85 countries.

Global demands for Indian radars, simulators and armoured vehicles