India Aims for Self-Reliance, Global Hub Status in Ammunition: Rajnath Singh

19 Jan 2026 CW Team

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.

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.

Infrastructure Urban

31 Jul 2026

SCLR Extension Nears Completion Linking BKC With Signal-Free Route

The Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) extension towards Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) via the Mumbai University campus has entered its final stage, bringing motorists closer to a direct, signal-free connection between the Western Express Highway and the city’s commercial district. The elevated connector is being built as an arm from the SCLR alignment and will link the western suburbs with BKC without surface signals. The link is designed to reduce journey times for commuters travelling from the western suburbs to BKC and to improve access to eastern Mumbai. By carrying through traffic above s..

Infrastructure Transport

31 Jul 2026

Raiganj MP Seeks Bengal Only Highway Link To Siliguri

Raiganj Member of Parliament Kartik Chandra Paul met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi to press for a new stretch of national highway in North Dinajpur district. He urged approval for a Bengal-to-Bengal link that would connect National Highways 12 and 27 to allow vehicles bound for Siliguri to avoid the current route through Kishanganj in neighbouring Bihar. He also submitted a proposed alignment of the new road to the ministry for consideration. At present vehicles from Raiganj travel along NH-12 and join NH-27 at Purnia More in Dalkhola, a route that p..

Infrastructure Transport

31 Jul 2026

Airport Kilambakkam Metro Line To Be Extended To Chengalpattu

Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) has invited tenders for two detailed project reports that would extend its rail network to Chengalpattu in the south and extend Corridor-5 to Wimco Nagar in the north as part of a second wave of expansion beyond the operator's corridors under construction. The move signals an acceleration of planning for suburban links and interchange nodes. The larger of the two studies covers a roughly 27km extension from the planned Kilambakkam metro station to Chengalpattu under Corridor-1, Phase I. CMRL floated the tender at an estimated cost of Rs 21.6 mn. The proposed line woul..