India, July 12 -- Indonesia's agreement to become the first foreign customer for India's Astra Mk-1 beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile marks more than just another defence export order.

This development means India now exports indigenous military platforms and weapon systems spanning all three principal combat domains: land, maritime and air.

This comes at a time when the Ministry of Defence has reported India's highest-ever annual defence exports. According to official figures, defence exports reached Rs 38,424 crore during FY 2025-26, registering a 62.66% increase over the previous financial year. The number is a dramatic departure from the Rs 686 crore recorded in FY 2013-14. Measured over the 12-year period, annual exports...