Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for Bharat Dynamics' new Naval Systems Manufacturing Facility at T. Sirasapalli village in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh, marking a step in expanding indigenous defence production. The project advances the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and aims to strengthen national manufacturing capabilities for naval systems.

Bharat Dynamics Limited, established in 1970 under the Ministry of Defence, has become a principal defence manufacturer and a production partner of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The company makes advanced missile systems such as Akash, Astra and the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile and anti?tank guided missiles. It also supplies underwater weapon systems, including the heavyweight torpedo Varunastra and the lightweight torpedo TAL, plus the C?303 decoy and launchers.

The complex will be spread across nearly 160 acres and will include manufacturing and assembly infrastructure, integration buildings and explosive handling and storage facilities. Testing infrastructure will feature acoustic tank facilities, while administrative buildings and a dedicated green belt will support operations. The layout is intended to meet high standards of safety and quality.

BDL will focus the facility on underwater weapon systems, torpedoes, mines and associated naval systems to meet Indian Navy requirements. The project is expected to enhance production capacity and to enable the execution of multiple concurrent projects while strengthening collaboration with DRDO laboratories and naval establishments in the Visakhapatnam region. The development is intended to bolster long?term defence preparedness.

The facility is being developed with an estimated investment of around Rs five billion (bn) and is expected to be completed in approximately four years. The project is anticipated to create about 3000 direct and indirect employment opportunities and to promote local MSMEs and ancillary industries. Alongside strengthening national security, the facility is expected to deliver a significant boost to regional economic development.