The broader pan-European STOXX 600 was down 0.2%. Japan's Nikkei lost 1.6% overnight amid rising tensions with China and Wall Street futures eased 0.2%
Defence related stocks have rallied up to 5% this year. Sachin Gupta of Choice Broking believes that there is pre-Budget optimism, and projects up to 12% upside in 5 shares based on technical charts.
The brokerage highlights a robust export outlook for companies in renewables and T&D, with select EPC and product companies benefiting from international demand.
Antique noted that the Indian defence shipbuilding industry is poised for significant order inflows, supported by the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard's fleet expansion plans
In its winter session, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved capital acquisition proposals worth ₹79,000 crore, taking total approvals in FY26 year-to-date (Y-T-D) to around ₹3.3 trillion.
Stocks to watch today, December 30, 2025: Bharat Electronics, Rail Vikas Nigam, Waaree Energies, and Lemon Tree Hotels shares will likely be in focus in Tuesday's session
Defence stocks advanced in Friday's session as buying interest emerged on the expected increase in order books in the run-up to the Defence Acquisition Council's (DAC) meeting
Company has received approvals from DRDO)for two distinct Transfers of Technology (ToT) relating to Laser-Based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) systems and EO Tracking Systems for DEW
Around 10:50 AM, Astra Microwave share price was trading 1.64 per cent higher at ₹917.50 per share. By comparison, BSE Sensex was trading 0.25 per cent higher at 85,033.88 levels.
The Nifty Defence index has shed nearly 7 per cent so far in December; the index was seen quoting below the long-term average for the first-ever time.
At the core of the bullish narrative is BHFC's swelling defence order book, now at nearly ₹114,000 crore and executable over the next three to four years.
According to Motilal Oswal, defence electronics continues to see long-term demand for radars, avionics, communication systems and electronic warfare solutions
Market experts attributed the weakness to a combination of valuation concerns, liquidity pressures and profit booking.
The Nifty Defence index has shed nearly 3 per cent in November, with stocks such as BEML, MIDHANI and HAL among others falling up to 17% despite 1% gain on the Nifty 50.
On the bourses, HAL share price was trading 0.27 per cent lower at ₹4,734 per share at 10 AM. By comparison, the BSE Sensex was trading flat at 84,463.92 levels.
Around 12:15 PM, Zen Technologies share price was trading 4.08 per cent higher at ₹1,411.80 per share. In comparison, BSE Sensex was down 0.11 per cent at 83,844.90 levels.
On Thursday, the MoD said the Defence Acquisition Council approved procurement proposals worth ₹79,000 crore
Analysts at PL Capital expect domestic-oriented sectors to outperform, naming banks, NBFCs, autos, retail, consumer staples, defence, metals, and select consumer durables as top picks.
The Business Standard Defence Index is designed to track the performance of 25 key defence stocks
Paras Defence share price rose today after the company said its arm, Paras Anti-Drone Technologies, has bagged an order worth ₹46.19 crore from the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.