Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said India must take control of its security-related necessities and strengthen indigenous manufacturing capabilities to remain future-ready in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.
Addressing a gathering after performing the bhoomi pujan for a 10,000-tonne Aluminium Extrusion Press facility at the Ordnance Factory Ambajhari in Nagpur, Singh, said, “Self-reliance in critical defence technologies and materials was essential for safeguarding national interests.”
“A nation capable of meeting its own requirements moves forward with the greatest confidence towards protecting its interests,” he said, describing the upcoming facility as a symbol of India’s transition from dependence on imports to domestic production of strategic equipment and materials,” he said.
The Defence Minister said modern fighter aircraft, missiles and advanced space programmes require lightweight yet highly durable metals capable of withstanding extreme conditions, adding that the new facility would help meet those requirements through indigenous production.
The proposed extrusion press, to be established by Yantra India Limited (YIL), will manufacture large and complex aluminium alloy profiles used in defence platforms, aerospace structures, missile systems, railways and other strategic sectors. The project is expected to reduce dependence on imported critical aluminium extrusions and strengthen the domestic supply chain.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, Singh said the success of the operation demonstrated the growing capability of indigenous defence manufacturing and highlighted the need to further expand domestic production of critical hardware.
He said the courage and professionalism of India’s armed forces must be complemented by a strong domestic industrial base capable of supplying advanced equipment and components.
“Thousands of crucial components constitute the real strength of major defence platforms. This facility will contribute significantly towards self-reliance in a critical area,” he said.
Singh said the nature of warfare may be evolving, but conventional military capabilities and industrial preparedness would remain relevant for decades. He stressed that a strong military-industrial ecosystem would continue to be a strategic necessity for the country.
Highlighting progress in defence manufacturing, the minister said India’s defence production had increased from Rs 46,000 crore in 2014 to a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in the 2025-26 financial year. Defence exports, which were below Rs 1,000 crore in 2014, had risen to Rs 38,424 crore.
He expressed confidence that India would achieve its targets of Rs 3 lakh crore in defence production and Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports ahead of schedule.
Singh also cited the performance of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) after its corporatisation. He said production had increased from Rs 12,755 crore in 2019-20, before corporatisation, to Rs 26,282 crore in 2025-26.
Defence exports from the entities formed after corporatisation rose from Rs 81 crore to Rs 4,561 crore during the same period, with YIL contributing Rs 397 crore, he added.
The minister described research and development and capital infusion as key drivers of industrial growth, stressing the need for public sector defence enterprises to invest in modern machinery, advanced technologies and innovation to remain globally competitive.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was present at the event, said the new facility would strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing and help position Nagpur as an important hub in the sector.
