Cochin Shipyard, Mazagon to Silka Interplant Share Price Soars: Defence Stocks Surge Up to 172% in H1 2025

Market Performance: H1 2025 Ends on a Strong Note

The Indian equity market wrapped up the first half of 2025 with impressive gains. Despite ongoing challenges like:

• Rising geopolitical tensions
• Trade uncertainties
• Elevated commodity prices

Markets remained resilient and recovered swiftly once conditions eased. This reflected growing investor confidence in India's long-term domestic growth story.

Key Index Gains

• Nifty 50 rose by 3.10% in June
• Sensex gained 2.65% in the same month
• Overall, both indices recorded a 17.3% rebound from April lows
• The cumulative four-month gain stood at over 15%

Main News: Defence Stocks Take Center Stage

Amid the positive market momentum, defence stocks emerged as the top performers during H1 2025. Escalating geopolitical tensions with Pakistan and China, along with turmoil in the Middle East, boosted interest in defence-related counters.

Key Drivers Behind the Rally

• Increased government focus on national defence
• Strengthened budget allocations to the Ministry of Defence
• Rising global defence commitments (e.g., NATO's higher spending)

This sectoral optimism fueled a significant rally in defence and shipbuilding stocks, with some names posting record-breaking performances.

Company Highlights: Top Gainers in the Defence Sector

Silka Interplant Systems

• Share Price Growth: From ₹509 to ₹1,378
• Percentage Gain: +172%
• Highlight: Highest six-month gain since listing in July 2004

Garden Reach Shipbuilders

• Share Price Growth: ₹1,610 to ₹3,015
• Percentage Gain: +85%
• Record High: Touched ₹3,535 in H1 2025

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders

• Share Price Growth: +45% in H1 2025

Cochin Shipyard

• Share Price Growth: +35% in the same period

Bharat Dynamics

• Percentage Gain: +73%
• New All-Time High: ₹2,096

Apollo Micro Systems

• Percentage Gain: +67%
• Despite profit booking in late June, the stock ended H1 with solid gains

Paras Defence and Space Technologies

• Share Price Surge: Up to 60%
• Among key drone-technology-related players

Overall, 13 defence-related stocks posted gains above 15% in the first six months of 2025.

Company Details: Strategic Defence Investments Drive Optimism

India's expanding defence needs are matched by its rising budget. The Ministry of Defence's allocation for FY26BE underscores this intent.

Key Financial Commitment:

• Total Defence Budget (FY26BE): ₹6.81 trillion
• YoY Growth: +6.3%
• Represents 13% of total central expenditure

This increased allocation aligns with India's pursuit of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and technology advancement.

Summary of the Article

• Indian markets recorded a strong H1 2025 performance, with the Nifty 50 up 3.10% and the Sensex up 2.65%
• Defence stocks led the charge, benefiting from geopolitical triggers and a stronger budgetary focus.
• Silka Interplant Systems was the top performer with 172% gains, followed by Garden Reach (+85%) and Bharat Dynamics (+73%)
• Mazagon Dock and Cochin Shipyard posted robust returns of 45% and 35%, respectively.
• A total of 13 defense stocks posted gains of 15% or more.
• Policy support and capital outlay helped fuel the sector's momentum.

The rally in defence-related shares such as Cochin Shipyard, Mazagon, and Silka Interplant underscores the market's confidence in the long-term potential of India's defence infrastructure.