India, Nov. 2 -- Defence production and exports serve not only as economic assets but as political risk management instruments. Countries that can export defence technologies increase their diplomatic influence. When countries are combat-tested, their defence products gain global traction, insulating them through export diplomacy. For instance, during the 2024-25 Israel-Iran conflict, Israel's effective use of Iron Dome and David's Sling systems led to a surge in export interest from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Gulf states.

Similarly, India's Operation Sindoor in May 2025 showcased the operational maturity of the indigenously developed BrahMos cruise missiles and Tejas fighters, spurring export interest across Southeast Asia and Afr...