India Aims for Global Leadership in Ammunition Manufacturing as Rajnath Singh Opens New Nagpur Facility

NAGPUR, Jan 18, 2026 — Defense Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making India a global hub for ammunition production during the inauguration of a new Medium Caliber Ammunition Manufacturing Facility at Solar Defense & Aerospace Limited. The state-of-the-art, fully automated plant is dedicated to producing 30mm ammunition for the Indian Army and Navy, marking a significant step toward “Aatmanirbharta” (self-reliance). Highlighting the shift from past shortages to current self-sufficiency, the Minister also flagged off the first export tranche of Guided Pinaka rockets destined for Armenia, signaling India’s growing influence in the international arms market.

During the event, Rajnath Singh emphasized that the private sector’s involvement is crucial to national security, stating the government’s goal to increase the private sector’s share in defense manufacturing to 50% or more in the near future. He noted that domestic defense production has surged from ₹46,425 crore in 2014 to a record ₹1.51 lakh crore, with the private sector contributing over ₹33,000 crore. This growth has directly fueled a massive jump in defense exports, which have risen from less than ₹1,000 crore a decade ago to a milestone of ₹24,000 crore today.

The Minister praised the technological milestones achieved by private industry, citing the successful deployment of Nagastra drones in recent operations and the development of the “Bhargavastra” Counter Drone System. He noted that as modern warfare evolves to include dimensions like supply chains, technology, and information, a robust domestic industrial base is essential. By fostering a unique synergy between capable public sector institutions and an innovative private sector, India is successfully transitioning from a leading defense importer to a prominent global exporter.