Major Indigenous Defence Companies in India

India’s defence manufacturing base has expanded rapidly, with public sector undertakings, shipyards, ordnance entities, and private firms now supplying a wide range of military platforms, systems, and components.

Overview of India’s Defence Manufacturing Sector

India is moving from being a major arms importer to a significant domestic producer and exporter of military systems. In FY 2025-26, defence production touched a record ₹1.78 lakh crore, with the public sector contributing 76% and private manufacturers 24%.

Military exports also reached a peak of ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26, up sharply from ₹686 crore in FY 2013-14. The government has set a target of ₹3 lakh crore in annual production and ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029.

Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs)

State-owned companies form the core of India’s domestic defence production network. They are involved in aircraft, missiles, metallurgy, electronics, and related systems.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

HAL is the sole domestic builder of military aircraft and helicopters. Established in 1940 and headquartered in Bengaluru, it manufactures the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv. It is also reviving assembly lines for the Su-30MKI and developing the Tejas Mk1A and Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF).

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)

Headquartered in Bengaluru and established in 1954, BEL produces military electronics. It is a key supplier of radar systems, sonars, weapon control systems, and communication networks to the Indian Armed Forces. Its products include radar systems for the Akash missile, battlefield surveillance radars, naval fire control radars, and tactical communication devices.

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)

BDL is India’s primary missile manufacturing company. Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Hyderabad, it builds guided missile systems and underwater weapons. Its products include the Akash surface-to-air missile system, Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missile, and anti-tank guided missiles such as Amogha and Konkurs-M.

Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI)

Established in 1973 in Hyderabad, MIDHANI produces specialised metals and advanced alloys. It supplies high-strength steel, superalloys, and titanium alloys used in space launch vehicles, missiles, fighter aircraft, and naval warships.

BEML Limited

Founded in 1964 and based in Bengaluru, BEML manufactures heavy transport and earthmoving machinery. For the military, it builds heavy-duty transport vehicles, including Tatra-based multi-axle trucks, pontoon bridges, and recovery systems.

Defence Shipbuilding Public Sector Undertakings

These shipyards are central to the Indian Navy’s indigenisation goals.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)

Located in Mumbai, MDL is a major builder of warships and conventional submarines. It has built the Project 15B Visakhapatnam-class stealth destroyers, Project 17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigates, and the Kalvari-class (Scorpene) diesel-electric submarines.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE)

Based in Kolkata, GRSE designs and builds warships, auxiliary vessels, and deck machinery. Its notable projects include the Kamorta-class anti-submarine warfare corvettes, Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessels, and hydrographic survey ships.

Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL)

GSL is located in Vasco da Gama, Goa. It specialises in medium-sized vessels, patrol craft, missile boats, and offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).

Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL)

Operating from Visakhapatnam, HSL provides shipbuilding, ship repair, and submarine refit services. It is involved in fleet support ships and auxiliary naval vessels.

The Seven Corporatised Ordnance Entities

In October 2021, the Union Government dissolved the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and converted its 41 production facilities into seven government-owned corporate entities to improve efficiency, performance, and export capability.

Munitions India Limited (MIL)

Headquartered in Pune, MIL is the largest of the seven units. It manufactures ammunition, artillery shells, explosives, and military-grade propellants.

Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVANI)

Based in Avadi, Chennai, AVANI produces tracked armoured combat vehicles, battle tanks, and heavy transport vehicles. It manufactures the Arjun Mk-1A main battle tank and BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles.

Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL)

Operating from Kanpur, AWEIL builds artillery weapons, small arms, and naval guns. It manufactures the Dhanush artillery gun and has exported small arms and artillery components to Europe and the Middle East.

Troop Comforts Limited (TCL)

Located in Kanpur, TCL manufactures life-support clothing, high-altitude gear, combat uniforms, tents, and protective wear for personnel.

Yantra India Limited (YIL)

Based in Nagpur, YIL provides specialised castings, forgings, and mechanical components required by other defence manufacturing divisions.

India Optel Limited (IOL)

Headquartered in Dehradun, IOL manufactures electro-optical equipment, laser range finders, night-vision sights, and thermal imaging devices.

Gliders India Limited (GIL)

Based in Kanpur, GIL is the primary manufacturer of military parachutes, heavy-drop parachute systems, and pilot ejection seat parachutes.

Major Private Sector Defence Companies

The private sector plays an important role in the supply chain and in export growth.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Defence

L&T designs and manufactures heavy weapon systems, naval vessels, and missile launchers. Its major platforms include the K9 Vajra-T 155mm self-propelled howitzers and the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher system. It also builds critical hull sections for the Arihant-class nuclear submarines.

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)

TASL is a leading private-sector aerospace and defence system integrator. It is setting up the final assembly line for the Airbus C-295 transport aircraft in Vadodara. It also designs loitering munitions, tactical communication systems, and aircraft structures.

Bharat Forge (Kalyani Group)

Bharat Forge produces heavy forged components, armoured vehicles, and artillery systems. Together with DRDO, it developed the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS). It also exports light artillery systems such as the MArG howitzer.

Adani Defence & Aerospace

This company focuses on unmanned systems, small arms, and counter-drone technologies. It manufactures the Drishti 10 Starliner UAV for the Indian Army and Navy and operates major small arms facilities in Kanpur.

Zen Technologies

Based in Hyderabad, Zen Technologies designs and builds combat training simulators, virtual tactical training systems, and anti-drone protection systems.

Key Government Policies Driving Local Production

• Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020: It sets indigenous content requirements and prioritises procurement under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
• Positive Indigenisation Lists (PILs): The Ministry of Defence has restricted import of over 5,000 sub-systems, components, and weapons, which must now be sourced domestically.
• Defence Industrial Corridors: The corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu support private industry, MSMEs, and test labs for production facilities.
• Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX): This initiative supports startups, individual inventors, and MSMEs developing defence technologies.

Key Comparative Data of Major Defence PSUs

Recent Context

On 13 August 2026, the Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth about ₹1,577 crore with TASL and NIBE Ltd for loitering munitions under the Buy (Indian) category. The procurement covers 84 systems and 840 munitions for the Indian Army.

Crucial Facts and Figures

• Record Exports: Domestic defence exports reached ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26, up from ₹686 crore in FY 2013-14.
• Global Footprint: Indian companies export military platforms to more than 80 countries, including Armenia, the Philippines, Maldives, and Mauritius.
• Public vs Private Export Share: In FY 2025-26, private sector firms accounted for 45.16% (₹17,353 crore) of total exports, while state-run DPSUs contributed 54.84% (₹21,071 crore).
• R&D Allocation: Defence research and development funding rose to ₹29,100.25 crore in FY 2026-27.
• Industry Participation in R&D: Since FY 2022-23, the government has reserved 25% of the defence R&D budget for startups, academic researchers, and private players.

Rare Facts for Prelims

• HAL was established in 1940, making it one of the oldest defence aerospace firms in India.
• GRSE traces its origins to 1884, making it older than many modern Indian defence institutions.
• MIDHANI is especially important because it supplies specialised alloys used in space launch vehicles as well as missiles.
• GIL is the main domestic producer of military parachutes, including systems used for pilot ejection seats.
• AVANI is the corporatised successor linked to India’s armoured vehicle production ecosystem after OFB restructuring.
• iDEX is notable because it directly supports non-traditional defence innovators such as startups and individual inventors.