Kashmir Impulse Desk

Nagpur, June 19

India must strengthen its ability to meet critical defence requirements domestically and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers if it is to remain prepared for future security challenges, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday.

Speaking after performing the foundation ceremony for a 10,000-tonne aluminium extrusion press facility at the Ordnance Factory Ambajhari in Nagpur, Singh said self-reliance in strategic materials and technologies had become increasingly important amid evolving geopolitical uncertainties.

“A nation capable of meeting its own requirements moves forward with the greatest confidence towards protecting its interests,” Singh said.

The new facility, to be established by state-owned Yantra India Limited (YIL), will manufacture large and complex aluminium alloy components used in missiles, aerospace systems, military platforms, railways and other strategic sectors.

Officials said the project is expected to reduce India’s reliance on imported aluminium extrusions used in defence manufacturing and strengthen domestic supply chains.

Singh said advanced military systems, including fighter aircraft, missile platforms and space technologies, required lightweight yet highly durable materials capable of operating under extreme conditions.

The minister linked the need for stronger domestic industrial capacity to the lessons learned from “Operation Sindoor”, saying the operation had highlighted the growing importance of indigenous defence production capabilities.

“The courage and professionalism of our armed forces must be complemented by a strong industrial ecosystem capable of supplying advanced equipment and critical components,” Singh said.

He noted that thousands of specialised parts formed the backbone of major defence platforms and said facilities such as the new extrusion plant would help close critical manufacturing gaps.

Highlighting progress made under the government’s defence manufacturing drive, Singh said India’s annual defence production had risen from about 460 billion rupees in 2014 to a record 1.78 trillion rupees in the 2025-26 financial year.

Defence exports increased from less than 10 billion rupees in 2014 to 384.24 billion rupees during the same period, he said.

The minister said he was confident India would surpass its targets of 3 trillion rupees in defence production and 500 billion rupees in defence exports ahead of schedule.

Singh also cited improvements following the corporatisation of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board.

According to government figures, production by the newly created entities increased from 127.55 billion rupees in 2019-20 to 262.82 billion rupees in 2025-26, while exports rose from 810 million rupees to 45.61 billion rupees.

He said continued investment in research, development and modern manufacturing technologies would be essential if India’s defence sector was to compete globally.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who attended the event, said the project would strengthen India’s defence industrial base and further establish Nagpur as a key manufacturing hub.