Defence stocks rallied sharply on Friday as the Indian government approved capital acquisition proposals worth nearly ₹1.05 lakh crore, boosting sentiment across the sector. The Nifty Defence India index climbed 1.4%, led by gains in companies tied to indigenous defence manufacturing.

Paras Defence & Space Technologies surged the most among index constituents, jumping 8%, while BEML, Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Bharat Electronics (BEL), Mishra Dhatu Nigam, Astra Microwave Products, Cochin Shipyard, Bharat Dynamics, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, and others rose between 1–2%.

The rally followed Thursday’s announcement by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), which cleared 10 capital acquisition proposals, all through indigenous sourcing. The acquisitions include Armoured Recovery Vehicles, Electronic Warfare Systems, an Integrated Common Inventory Management System for the Tri-Services, and Surface-to-Air Missiles for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The government’s emphasis on domestic procurement aligns with its broader strategy of enhancing self-reliance in defence manufacturing and promoting domestic innovation. Defence stocks have already been benefiting from rising global demand, NATO’s increased defence budgets, Europe’s rearmament plans, and India’s policy push for indigenization.

Krishna Doshi, Research Analyst at Ashika Institutional Equities, noted:

“With strong structural tailwinds and the latest approvals worth ₹1.05 lakh crore, we maintain a positive outlook on the Indian defence sector.”

Doshi highlighted key beneficiaries of the approvals:

Bharat Dynamics – for missile manufacturing
Bharat Electronics – in radar systems and electronic warfare
Cochin Shipyard – expected to benefit from underwater and autonomous vessel orders
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders – active in destroyers and mine countermeasure vessels
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers – for patrol vessel contracts

Other players like Paras Defence & Space Technologies, Data Patterns, and Astra Microwave Products are also well-positioned to capitalize on niche opportunities in India’s evolving defence ecosystem.

The sector continues to attract investor interest amid geopolitical tensions and India’s ambition to become a global defence manufacturing hub.