Amid heightened military readiness, the government has instructed private defence manufacturers to scale up production of ammunition, weapon systems, and armoured platforms, sources have confirmed.
The directive, which includes prioritised supplies of smart and anti-drone munitions, is aimed at supplementing output from the state-run ordnance factories. Vendors have been asked to expand production of designated items beyond existing volumes, and follow-up meetings with officials are expected shortly, industry sources said.
Confirming the outreach, Babasaheb Neelkanth Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge, said defence manufacturers were called to Delhi for consultations on Friday. Bharat Forge, which operates a major facility in Jejuri near Pune, specialises in artillery systems, armoured vehicles, and small-to-medium arms. Earlier this year, it secured a landmark order for 184 indigenously developed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS), which it also exports.
The 155mm/52-calibre ATAGS, co-developed with the DRDO, is capable of firing projectiles up to 48 km. Featuring an all-electric drive for reduced maintenance, it outperforms traditional towed guns with a mobility speed of 18 kmph and a firing rate of six rounds per minute — double the standard.
Mahindra Defence, which holds a government licence to manufacture small arms and ammunition, is also expected to increase production. The company produces specialised military vehicles, including the Marksman for urban warfare and Rakshak, an armoured utility platform used by security forces.
The Indian Army had earlier issued a Request for Information (RFI) to manufacture 23mm anti-drone ammunition under the “Make in India” programme, overseen by the Directorate General of Army Air Defence.
India’s domestic defence manufacturing has expanded rapidly, hitting a record Rs 1.27 lakh crore in FY24. Currently, about 65% of defence equipment is manufactured locally, compared to 65–70% of import dependency a decade ago. The private sector now accounts for 21% of total defence production, with major contributions from Bharat Forge, Mahindra, and Tata Group, supported by over 430 licensed firms and around 16,000 MSMEs.
Team BharatShakti
