India has reworked its defence attache network abroad to drive military exports, focusing on countries likely to buy weapons and systems from India rather than those selling military hardware to it.
The targeted reshuffle took place in phases and will help India boost its defence exports and meet targets, officials said.
India is seeking to double its defence exports to ₹50,000 crore by 2029-30, with the figure reaching ₹23,682 crore in the financial year 2024-25, representing a 12% increase over the previous year.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan discussed the reshuffle of the defence attaches during an interaction with the Parliamentary standing committee on defence.
India is reducing its military diplomatic presence in countries such as Russia, France, Israel and the US, while increasing such visibility in regions with export potential including South-east Asia, Africa and Latin America.
India sold military hardware to around 100 countries in 2024-25, with the private sector and defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) contributing ₹15,233 crore and ₹8,389 crore to exports, respectively.
The country is also tapping the export potential of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, and positioning itself as a global shipbuilding hub.
