A Pinaka ER rocket and various artillery ammunition shells are displayed at the Munitions India Limited company exhibition stand during the DSEI trade show in London
India's defence industry is capitalising on Europe's growing appetite for ammunition as the Russia-Ukraine war forces countries to replenish military stockpiles and accelerate rearmament, opening a major export opportunity for Indian manufacturers.According to Defense News, citing Bloomberg-reported trade data, India's exports of ammunition and related products to European countries rose to $872 million in the four years following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, from $49.2 million in the preceding four-year period.Defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh had described India as Europe's third-largest arms exporter, highlighting the country's growing presence in the European defence market.The surge comes as European countries face pressure to strengthen military preparedness following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The conflict has driven demand for artillery shells and other ammunition, with European governments seeking to replenish their own stocks while continuing military support for Kyiv.According to Bloomberg-reported figures, India became the second-largest supplier of ammunition and related products to 13 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, behind South Korea.
The European Union's ReArm Europe initiative has added momentum to the push to expand defence spending and production capacity. The resulting demand has created opportunities for Indian public-sector manufacturers and private companies to supply conventional ammunition and other military equipment to overseas buyers.India's broader defence export performance has also strengthened. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said the country's defence exports reached a record ₹38,424 crore in the 2025–26 financial year, compared with ₹23,622 crore in the previous year. India now exports defence products to more than 80 countries, reflecting the expansion of its domestic manufacturing base and international customer network.