NEW DELHI: Indian defence PSUs Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Bharat Electronics (BEL) and Mazagon Docks (MDL) continue to figure in the global top 100 arms-producing companies, but together accounted for just a paltry 1.1% of the global arms sales last year.Global arms revenues rose sharply by 5.9% to reach a record $679 billion in 2024, with the demand being boosted by the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts, global and regional geopolitical tensions, and ever-increasing military expenditures, as per the latest report released by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) Monday.The top 100 list is dominated by 39 US companies, together accounting for $334 billion. China follows next with eight companies, with a total of $88 billion. HAL was ranked 44th with $3.8 billion in arms sales, BEL 58th with $2.4 billion and MDL 91st with $1.2 billion, an overall increase by 8.2%.The top five companies in the list were Lockheed Martin (US), RTX or Raytheon (US), Northrop Grumman (US), BAE Systems (UK) and General Dynamics (US).
