India’s leading armoured platform manufacturer, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVANI), has set its sights on the global market, preparing to expand its footprint through international partnerships, reported Manu Pubby of ET News.
The defence public sector firm, formed from the previous Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), is looking for channel partners in Africa, West Asia, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia to market, distribute, and service its large range of armoured vehicles and associated equipment.
AVANI is a significant supplier of India’s frontline armoured capabilities, producing platforms such as the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT), Russian-made T-90 tanks, and BMP-2 armoured personnel carriers. By exploiting these proven platforms, the company hopes to fit with India’s export-focused military policy, which encourages indigenous firms to diversify outside the home market and seek growth abroad.
While tanks and armoured carriers are the foundation of AVANI’s capabilities, the business also manufactures a large range of crucial spares for Russian-origin armoured vehicles, an area in which many developing countries still have significant inventory requirements. This establishes AVANI as a reputable supplier of logistics and life-cycle support systems, especially for countries whose forces still use old Soviet and Russian equipment.
In addition, AVANI has expanded its market reach beyond land-based platforms by exporting naval weapons and the Kavach decoy defense system for warships.
The push for worldwide expansion is strongly linked to the Indian government’s directive to increase defence exports and minimize reliance on local orders. Since the restructuring of the Ordnance Factory Board into seven specialized organizations, including AVANI, exports have increased significantly.
In 2019-20, the overall export value of the firms was barely ₹81 crore. However, by 2024-25, provisional statistics show that the number has grown to ₹3,545 crore, demonstrating successful outreach tactics and increased international demand for Indian defense products.
Among the seven companies, Munitions India Limited (MIL) dominated the exports for 2024-25, contributing over ₹3,000 crore from global munitions and explosive sales. AVANI is now attempting to emulate this success by targeting the global market for heavy platforms, spares, and naval armament.
By focusing its efforts in Africa, West Asia, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia, AVANI is targeting markets where powerful, cost-effective armoured capabilities are still in high demand. These markets also include countries that still use or rely on Russian-made equipment but are constrained by sanctions and supply chain restrictions, presenting geopolitical opportunities for India to step in as a dependable defense supplier.
The decision is vital for India’s desire to position itself as a prominent global defense producer, with targets to reach ₹50,000 crore in annual defense exports by this decade. AVANI’s export initiatives in parts, tanks, and naval equipment are likely to have a significant impact on this trend, while also increasing India’s strategic influence in partner regions.
