Nagpur, Jun 19 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said India must take control of security-related necessities to remain future-ready, asserting that a nation capable of meeting its own requirements moves ahead with confidence in safeguarding its interests.
Speaking after performing the Bhoomi Pujan for a 10,000-tonne Aluminium Extrusion Press at Ordnance Factory Ambajhari, a unit of Yantra India Limited (YIL), in Nagpur, Singh said the project symbolises a shift from dependence on imports to domestic production of critical strategic materials.
The proposed facility, one of the most advanced of its kind in the country, will manufacture large and complex aluminium alloy profiles for defence systems, aerospace structures, missile programmes, railways and other strategic sectors.
Singh said modern fighter aircraft, missiles and space programmes require lightweight yet highly durable metals capable of withstanding extreme conditions, and the new extrusion press would help meet that critical requirement through indigenous production.
Highlighting the role of domestically manufactured equipment in the success of Operation Sindoor, the defence minister underlined the need to strengthen indigenous production capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
He said the government is steadily moving towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, with defence production rising from Rs 46,000 crore in 2014 to a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26.
Defence exports, which were below Rs 1,000 crore in 2014, have surged to Rs 38,424 crore, he said.
“We are poised to achieve our targets of Rs 3 lakh crore in defence production and Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports ahead of schedule,” Singh said.
The minister also highlighted the impact of the corporatisation of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), saying its production increased from Rs 12,755 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 26,282 crore in 2025-26.
Defence exports by the former OFB entities rose from Rs 81 crore before corporatisation to Rs 4,561 crore, with YIL contributing Rs 397 crore, he added.
Singh identified research and development (R&D) and capital infusion as the two key drivers of industrial growth, stressing that investment in modern machinery and advanced production systems is essential for long-term competitiveness.
He urged defence public sector undertakings to adopt best practices and modern technologies to meet national expectations and strengthen their global presence.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was present on the occasion, described the aluminium extrusion press project as a major step towards achieving the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.
He said the world’s growing recognition of India’s defence sector and increasing collaboration between public sector undertakings and private industry were helping position the country as a major exporter of defence equipment.
Senior officials from the Department of Defence Production, Yantra India Limited, the armed forces and industry representatives attended the event.(NVI)
