India Hopes to Woo Arms Buyers After 'Insights' From Pakistan Clash

The skies lit up during the four-day clash between India and Pakistan in May as drones were blasted from the air by missiles that showcased what New Delhi believes is a "new vision" of warfare.

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NEW DELHI - The skies lit up during the four-day clash between India and Pakistan in May as drones were blasted from the air by missiles that showcased what New Delhi believes is a "new vision" of warfare.

India now hopes that the demonstration of its combat capabilities, which included a domestically developed "invisible shield" missile defence system, will fuel international demand.

"The operation was a sign of the new art of warfare, a glimpse of a new vision, technological advancements and self-reliance," Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in August.

Long one of the world's top arms importers, India is now determined to recast itself as a major producer and exporter of weapons. Defence exports reached a record US$2.8 billion (S$3.6 billion) in 2024 to 2025, still small compared with established players, but up 12 per cent from the year before and 34 times higher than a decade ago.

Domestic defence production also surged to a record US$18 billion, nearly doubling in five years.