India is on course to achieve its targets of ₹3 lakh crore in defence production and ₹50,000 crore in defence exports ahead of schedule, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday after performing the Bhoomi Pujan for a state-of-the-art 10,000-ton aluminium extrusion press at Ordnance Factory Ambajhari in Nagpur, a unit of Yantra India Limited (YIL).
Speaking at the event, which was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Singh stressed that a nation capable of meeting its own security requirements moves forward with confidence and said taking control of security-related necessities has become imperative in the current geopolitical environment.
The proposed facility, to be one of the most advanced of its kind in the country, will manufacture large and complex aluminium alloy profiles required for defence systems, aerospace and aviation structures, missile programmes, railways and other strategic applications. The project is expected to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen the domestic supply chain.
Highlighting the role of indigenous systems in the success of Operation Sindoor, Singh said robust domestic manufacturing must complement the bravery of the armed forces. He added that modern warfare may be changing, but the importance of a strong military-industrial base will remain critical in the decades ahead.
The Defence Minister said the government’s efforts towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat are yielding results, with domestic defence production rising from ₹46,000 crore in 2014 to a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26. Defence exports, which were below ₹1,000 crore in 2014, have reached an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore.
He noted that the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board has strengthened operational autonomy and innovation. Production by the erstwhile OFB entities has increased from ₹12,755 crore in FY 2019-20 to ₹26,282 crore in FY 2025-26, while exports have risen from ₹81 crore to ₹4,561 crore. Yantra India Limited contributed ₹397 crore to the export figures.
Emphasising the importance of research and development and capital infusion, Singh said investments in modern machinery and advanced production systems are essential for long-term competitiveness. He called on defence public sector undertakings to adopt best practices and modern technologies to meet national expectations and global standards.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the aluminium extrusion press project as a major step towards achieving the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat. He said Operation Sindoor demonstrated the technological capabilities of New India and expressed confidence that the project would help transform Nagpur into a key hub for defence manufacturing.
