Export of Defence Products from India: License, Process & Policy (2026)

Below are the documents you will require for obtaining a defence export license in India.

Pre-Application Documents

1. Company-Related Documents

• Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) certificate
• PAN card of the company
• Certificate of Incorporation / MoA & AoA (proof of business existence)
• Industrial License under the IDR Act, 1951 (for defence manufacturers)
• Authorisation letter for the nodal officer (PDF, max 5 MB)
• Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) of the authorized signatory
• Bank account details of the company
• Internal Compliance Programme (ICP) declaration
• Technical Compliance Programme (TCP) declaration (for technology transfers, as per Wassenaar best practices)

2. Transaction-Related Documents

• Purchase order or contract from the foreign buyer
• Technical specifications, drawings, and brochures of the item
• ITC (HS) code and SCOMET classification of the product
• Consignee profile (intermediary and ultimate end-user)
• Country of final destination details

3. End-User Documents

• End-User Certificate in the prescribed format under Appendix IV(a), IV(b), or IV(c) of the SOP
• Notarised English translation of the EUC, if issued in another language
• Declarations regarding non-diversion, non-re-export, and non-use for prohibited purposes
• For intra-company transfers, EUC may be signed by the parent company (as per SOP dated 21 June 2022)

The total cost of getting a defence export licence in India includes two parts: the government fees and the professional fees.

Defence export refers to the sale or transfer of military items, weapon systems, defence technology, and related parts from India to a foreign buyer. The scope covers finished platforms such as missiles, aircraft, and naval vessels, as well as smaller components and sub-systems supplied to global defence manufacturers.

The Department of Defence Production (DDP), under the Ministry of Defence, manages the entire defence export structure. Applications for export approval are filed online at defenceexim.gov.in, the official single-window portal for SCOMET Category 6 items and firearm parts under the Arms Rules, 2016.

The export framework covers four main areas:

• SCOMET Category 6 (Munitions List) — military items or items intended for military end-use, listed in Appendix-3 to Schedule 2 of the ITC (HS) Classification.
• Arms Act, 1959 and Arms Rules, 2016 — nine categories of firearm parts under Schedule I, requiring authorization in Form A X-A.
• Open General Export Licence (OGEL)—a pre-approved licence permitting export of specified items to specified countries within the validity period, without a separate approval for each shipment.
• Dual-use items — goods with both civilian and military applications, classified under the broader SCOMET list managed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

The objective of the framework is dual: to support the policy goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India and to ensure that exports are consistent with national security interests and India's international commitments.

As per Para 3 of Public Notice No. 4/2015-20, exporters must retain the following records for at least 5 years from the date of export:

• All application documents and correspondence with the buyer, consignee, and end-user
• Relevant contract documents and book of accounts
• Shipping bill, bill of entry, and bill of lading
• Quarterly export reports for OGEL-based shipments
• Renewal applications and revised authorizations, where applicable
• Records of any change notifications submitted to the DDP

Important Notes

• Brokering is prohibited under the FTDR Act, 1992, and the WMD Act, 2005. No brokering license is issued by the DDP.
• Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification is optional but strengthens the application by demonstrating supply chain honesty.
• All documents should be uncompressed PDFs as per the portal's upload guidelines.

Every shipment of arms, ammunition, or military technology leaving India passes through a Defence exports rules set by India that is controlled by a combination of domestic laws and international commitments. Every exporter must comply with the following:

• Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 (FTDR Act): The primary legislation that enables the government to regulate exports and imports. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) operates under this Act and administers the SCOMET list.
• Arms Act, 1959, and Arms Rules, 2016: Govern the manufacture, sale, transport, and export of firearms and ammunition. Schedule I of the Arms Rules lists the categories that require licensing.
• Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Act, 2005: Prohibits the export or transfer of any goods, technology, or services that could contribute to nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons programs.
• Public Notice No. 5/2015-2020 dated 24 May 2017: Issued by DGFT, this notification assigns the authority to grant export authorizations for SCOMET Category 6 items to the Department of Defence Production. Applications under Form A X-A for firearm parts are also processed by DDP, following MHA's notification of 1 November 2018.
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) dated 10 May 2024: Issued by DDP and available on the defenceexim.gov.in portal. This is the operative document that defines the process for export authorization, documentation requirements, and validity periods.

India is also a member of the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), and the Australia Group. These memberships impose obligations on the export of arms and dual-use items, and they also support India's standing as a responsible exporter in regulated markets.

The Department of Defence Production issues five main types of authorizations. The correct selection depends on the nature of the item, the destination country, and whether the export is one-time or recurring.

1. Standard Export Authorisation

A case-specific authorization for one-time exports of finished defence systems or major equipment. Applications are reviewed by DDP and, where required, sent for stakeholder consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Defence (MoD), and the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The authorization is shipment-specific and time-specific. As per the SOP, validity is two years, with two permissible extensions of six months each.

2. Open General Export License (OGEL)

A pre-approved license that allows the export of specified items to specified countries during the validity period without a fresh application for each shipment. The eligibility requirement is the existence of an effective Internal Compliance Program (ICP) within the exporting company. DDP issued three OGELs on 14 June 2022:

• OGEL 1 — for export of parts and components of specified items
• OGEL 2 — for export of additional parts and components categories
• OGEL 3 — for export of major platforms and equipment

OGEL 1 and OGEL 2 are available for exports to a defined list of countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Italy, Poland, and Mexico. OGEL 3 has its own list of permitted destinations.

OGELs are valid for two years and do not restrict the number of shipments during the validity period.

3. Form A X-A Authorisation

Issued under the Arms Rules, 2016 for the export of firearm parts and small arms components. DDP became the single point of contact for these exports through MHA's notification dated 1 November 2018. A fee of ₹5,000 per purchase order applies.

4. Temporary Export Authorisation

A returnable authorization for testing, evaluations, demonstrations, and participation in international defence exhibitions. The goods must be returned to India after the stated purpose is completed. Validity is governed by Para 6 of the SOP, depending on the purpose of export.

5. Re-Export and Repair Authorisation

Permits re-export of parts and components for repair, replacement under warranty, or rework. The validity has been extended to cover the date of order completion or two years, whichever is later.

For quick reference, here is how the six license types compare:

Choosing the right license depends on the product, the destination country, and the nature of the deal. A clear understanding of these categories helps Indian exporters move faster, stay compliant, and build long-term trust with global buyers.

The official figures released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on 2 April 2026 confirm the scale of growth:

• Total defence exports: ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26
• Increase over previous year: ₹14,802 crore (62.66%)
• DPSU contribution: ₹21,071 crore (54.84% of total exports)
• Private sector contribution: ₹17,353 crore (45.16% of total exports)
• DPSU year-on-year growth: 151%
• Private sector year-on-year growth: 14%
• Number of registered exporters: 145, up from 128 (a 13.3% rise)

The five-year picture shows nearly a threefold increase in exports. The export target set by the government is ₹50,000 crore by FY 2029-30.

Major Export Destinations

India currently exports defence products to more than 80 countries across the following regions:

• North America: United States, Canada
• Europe: France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands
• Asia-Pacific: Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand
• Middle East and Africa: Israel, Egypt, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia
• Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, Guyana, Ecuador, Suriname, Honduras
• CIS Region: Armenia

The United States remains the largest buyer of Indian subsystems and components. France and Armenia are the leading buyers of finished platforms, including artillery guns, missile systems, and rocket launchers. By value, ships account for the largest share of exports at approximately 55%, followed by personal protection equipment, electronic systems, components, subsystems, ammunition, and unmanned systems.

This defence exports list showcases India’s strongest military equipment export offerings, ranging from advanced missiles and aircraft to artillery, drones, and ammunition. Below is the complete list.

The government has introduced several measures to support defence manufacturing and exports.

These are the top Indian companies driving the country's defence exports, both through government contracts and private sector deals.

India's defence exports are growing fast, but the journey is not without challenges. Solving these issues is important if the country wants to reach its ₹50,000 crore export target by 2029 and compete against established global players

1. R&D Gaps in Advanced Technologies : Indian defence companies spend only 1.2% of revenue on R&D, far below the global average of 3.4%, which limits the country's ability to build next-generation technologies on its own.
2. Competition from USA, Russia, France, South Korea, and Turkey : India's annual defence exports stand at around USD 4.15 billion, while South Korea exports USD 9.5 billion and Turkey USD 7.1 billion, leaving a clear gap with the bigger global players.
3. Approval and Procurement Delays : Long inter-ministerial approvals and slow clearances often delay export deals, sometimes causing foreign buyers to lose interest before authorizations arrive.
4. Quality Perception in Global Markets : Past issues like delivery delays, spare parts shortages, and dependence on foreign suppliers have affected the global image of Indian defence products, making repeat orders harder to win.
5. Financing Support for Buyer Nations : Many buyer countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America cannot pay upfront, and limited EXIM Bank credit options often cost India deals to countries offering better financing.
6. Limited Global Marketing and Brand Presence : Despite strong products, India's global marketing remains weak compared to other exporters, with low presence at major trade shows and limited buyer outreach.

The Ministry of Defence has set a target of ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by FY 2029-30, supported by a goal of ₹3,00,000 crore in annual defence production.

The roadmap is set on three core elements. First, the scale of domestic defence production, which crossed ₹1,54,000 crore in 2025 and is projected to reach approximately ₹2,00,000 crore in FY 2025-26. Second, deeper participation by the private sector, which already contributes 45.16% of defence exports and is expected to account for 50% of total production by value. Third, expansion of the export buyer base across Africa, Latin America, ASEAN, and the European Union.

Emerging technology areas like drones, AI-driven surveillance, cyber defence, hypersonic systems, and indigenous fighter engines are expected to play a significant role in achieving the longer-term vision of becoming the world's largest defence exporter by 2047.

India's defence export sector is growing at its fastest pace ever. The laws are clear, the digital portal at defenceexim.gov.in has made the process faster, and global buyers are more open than ever to Indian defence products. The opportunity is real, but only companies that act now and act correctly will benefit from this.

Getting a defence export licence involves correct SCOMET classification, the right authorization type, a complete document set, a proper End-User Certificate, and full post-export compliance. One mistake at any stage can delay your shipment by months.

This is where Professional Utilities comes in. Our team handles your defence export licence application from start to finish, including documentation, filing, follow-ups, and compliance support. Visit our website or call our team today and let our experts manage the complete process while you focus on growing your business.