Defence Stocks Take Off: GRSE, Cochin Shipyard, BDL Lead as Sector Adds ₹9,000 Crore in Market Value

India’s defence sector is on a winning streak, with shares of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Cochin Shipyard, Bharat Dynamics (BDL), and other major players rising for the third straight day. This rally has added an impressive ₹9,000 crore to the sector’s market capitalization just this week, even as the broader market has remained subdued.

 

GRSE was the standout performer, surging over 7% to hit a record high after signing a landmark deal with Norway’s Kongsberg to build India’s first polar research vessel. Cochin Shipyard followed with a nearly 5% jump, while Zen Technologies and Paras Defence climbed more than 2% each. BDL, Mishra Dhatu Nigam, BEML, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, and DCX India all posted solid gains, reflecting strong investor confidence across the board.

 

This surge is being fueled by a combination of factors: rising geopolitical tensions, expectations of large new defence orders, and a robust government push for indigenous manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The Nifty Defence index has now closed in the green in 10 of the last 11 sessions, with its total value jumping ₹48,700 crore since May 21.

 

Analysts say the sector’s momentum is underpinned by a healthy order pipeline, strong earnings growth, and optimism about future export opportunities. As defence budgets rise and India’s focus on self-reliance sharpens, these companies are emerging as long-term winners in the market.

 

Sources: Moneycontrol, India Today, Business Standard