2025’s global defence boom: Who’s buying, who’s selling, and why India is suddenly at the table

India has, quietly, shipped a fresh batch of BrahMos cruise missiles to the Philippines and opened a factory to make 100 more every year. (File image)

When the US sealed a $142 billion defence deal with Saudi Arabia this May, the biggest in its history, it didn’t just move weapons. It shifted the global centre of gravity on military diplomacy.

Within weeks, Poland signed a nearly $2 billion support pact for Patriot systems. The UK returned to NATO’s nuclear air mission with F-35A fighters. France bought Swedish surveillance planes. The EU launched a joint €150 billion weapons fund. And quietly, India shipped a fresh batch of BrahMos cruise missiles to the Philippines and opened a factory to make 100 more every year.

Why 2025 is exploding with deals

The European Union launched a €150 billion joint arms procurement fund, while France turned to Sweden for GlobalEye surveillance aircraft, marking a rare intra-Europe high-end tech deal. Meanwhile, Switzerland is demanding renegotiation after a CHF 1.5 billion hike in its F-35 contract with the US, reflecting a wider desire for more cost-effective, Europe-led defence pacts.

In Asia, countries are hedging against an uncertain Indo-Pacific future. Japan, the UK, and Italy launched the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to build a sixth-generation fighter jet, reducing their long-term reliance on US aircraft. India, meanwhile, has emerged as a key supplier: the Philippines received its second batch of BrahMos missiles in April, while Vietnam is in talks for a $700 million deal to bolster its South China Sea defences.

The Middle East, however, is moving the fastest, led by Saudi Arabia’s record $142 billion arms deal with the US, a package covering everything from jets to drones and possibly F-35s. The UAE and Qatar are reportedly exploring joint missile-defence setups using Israeli and US tech, while Israel is ramping up radar and anti-drone exports across the Gulf.

2025’s biggest global deals (so far)

US–Saudi Arabia ($142 billion): The largest arms pact in US history, includes aircraft, drones, radar systems, and possibly F-35s.
US–Poland ($2 billion): For advanced Patriot missile system support.
UK ($1.5 billion+): Twelve F-35A stealth jets, returning Britain to NATO's aerial nuclear deterrence.
Switzerland: Demanding renegotiation after a CHF 1.5 billion price surge in its F-35 deal.
France–Sweden: Surveillance boost with two Saab GlobalEye aircraft.
EU (€150 billion): A joint arms procurement fund for European defence independence.
GCAP: The UK, Italy and Japan advance a sixth-gen stealth fighter prototype for 2027.EU: Strategic pact in the works focused on maritime and cyber defence.

India’s quiet yet decisive rise

Amid this global flux, India is no longer watching from the sidelines. It's actively reshaping its defence narrative, from a net importer to an emerging exporter and co-developer.

Export push

Philippines received its second BrahMos missile battery in April.
Vietnam is in advanced talks for a $700 million BrahMos deal.
Indonesia is close to finalising a $450 million missile contract.
India’s defence exports rose 12% year-on-year to $2.76 billion, covering patrol vessels, radars, drones, and missiles.

Manufacturing moves

Inaugurated a BrahMos factory in Lucknow capable of producing 100 missiles per year.
Signed a Rs 10,000 crore ammo-manufacturing pact between Reliance and Germany’s Diehl Defence.
Fast-tracked 13 procurement deals for radars, drones, rifles, and loitering munitions.

Big deals

Signed Rs 63,000 crore Rafale-M deal for the Navy.
Cleared Rs 45,000 crore for 156 indigenous Light Combat Helicopters (Prachand).
Moving forward on QR-SAM air defence systems and possibly new naval stealth frigates.

From Europe’s bid to arm itself independently, to Asia’s quiet recalibration away from traditional alliances, and the Middle East’s record-breaking spree, the global arms bazaar is in full swing. In this race, India isn’t just keeping pace, it’s carving out a seat at the table, not as a client, but increasingly as a credible supplier.