Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to achieving Aatmanirbharta in ammunition manufacturing and positioning India as a global production hub in the defence sector. He was speaking after inaugurating a Medium Calibre Ammunition Manufacturing Facility at Solar Defence & Aerospace n Nagpur, Maharashtra, on January 19, 2026.

Recalling a period when ammunition shortages adversely affected India’s defence preparedness, Rajnath Singh said the experience underscored the critical need for self-reliance in defence production. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government has taken sustained steps to ensure that such vulnerabilities are eliminated through indigenous manufacturing.

The newly inaugurated facility is a fully automated plant for the production of 30 mm ammunition, which is extensively used by the Indian Army and the Indian Navy. During his visit, the Raksha Mantri also reviewed the Pinaka rocket manufacturing facility and flagged off the first tranche of Guided Pinaka rockets being exported to Armenia, marking a significant milestone in India’s defence exports.

Commending the growing role of the private sector, Rajnath Singh said India is steadily advancing in ammunition production by manufacturing reliable, high-quality defence products. He highlighted the induction of the indigenously developed Multi-Mode Hand Grenade, manufactured by the private sector and handed over to the Indian Army in 2021, as a key achievement. The Raksha Mantri also cited the successful operational use of Nagastra drones, developed by the Solar Group, during Operation Sindoor, noting that their precision strikes demonstrated strong indigenous technological capability.

He further referred to the successful test launch of the ‘Bhargavastra’ Counter Drone System developed by the company, saying it showcased the technological strength of India’s private defence industry. With exports of Pinaka missiles now underway, Rajnath Singh said India is rapidly transitioning from being a major defence importer to an emerging exporter.

Describing Operation Sindoor as a reminder of the importance of self-reliance, the Raksha Mantri said modern warfare is becoming increasingly complex and multi-dimensional, extending beyond traditional battlefields to areas such as technology, supply chains, trade and information. He stressed that a robust defence industrial base is essential in this evolving security environment and called for greater private sector participation in defence manufacturing and research and development to meet future challenges.