India’s Defence Leap: Rajnath Singh Inaugurates Nagpur Ammunition Hub, Flags Off Pinaka Exports

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“Our aim is to increase the private sector’s role in defence manufacturing to 50% or more soon. Increased involvement of the private sector in manufacturing and R&D is the need of the hour.” - Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, Government of India

January 2026 : In a significant move toward military self-reliance, the Defence Minister - Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated a state-of-the-art Medium Caliber Ammunition Manufacturing Facility at Solar Defence & Aerospace Limited in Nagpur. This fully automated plant is dedicated to the production of 30mm ammunition, a staple for both the Indian Army and the Indian Navy. During his visit, he also reached a major diplomatic and industrial milestone by flagging off the first tranche of Guided Pinaka rockets for export to Armenia, signaling India’s transition from a leading importer to a rising global exporter of advanced weaponry.

Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the critical role of private enterprise in modernizing national security, citing the success of the Nagastra drones in Operation Sindoor and the development of the 'Bhargavastra' Counter Drone System as proof of indigenous innovation. He noted that domestic defence production has skyrocketed from ₹46,425 crore in 2014 to approximately ₹1.51 lakh crore today, with private sector exports reaching a record ₹24,000 crore. Shri Rajnath Singh underscored that the government is committed to a future where the private sector carries at least half the weight of the nation's production and research efforts, ensuring a robust industrial base capable of meeting the multi-dimensional challenges of modern warfare.

Reflecting on the government’s strategic vision for a synergetic defence ecosystem, Shri Rajnath Singh stated: “Our aim is to increase the private sector’s role in defence manufacturing to 50% or more soon. Increased involvement of the private sector in manufacturing and R&D is the need of the hour. India possesses a unique & effective blend of public & private sectors in its defence manufacturing ecosystem; Need to deepen this synergy for national benefit.”

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