NewzVille Desk
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday inaugurated the artillery shell manufacturing plant established at the Savli Vihir Industrial Estate in Shirdi, Maharashtra. The project has been developed by Nibe Limited. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Industries Minister Uday Samant, Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, Nibe Group Executive Director Ganesh Nibe, DRDO Chairman Samir V. Kamat and several other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that India was once known as an importer of defence equipment, but in the coming years, the country would emerge as a major exporter of defence products. He stated that private sector participation in the defence sector currently stands at around 30 to 35 per cent and will be increased to 50 per cent in the future.
Describing the project as the beginning of a new era, he praised the artillery shells unit and other defence facilities established in Shirdi. He further said that with the support of private industries, a list of more than 5,000 defence items has been prepared, and these products will now be manufactured within India using indigenous technology. Singh highlighted that the nature of warfare has changed, and countries possessing innovation, production capabilities, and strong industrial infrastructure will shape the future.
He emphasized that India is preparing itself for future warfare and becoming self-reliant in defence manufacturing through the “Make in India” initiative.
Chief Minister Fadnavis praised the Nibe Group and said that the project has transformed Ahilyanagar district into a defence manufacturing hub.
He also announced that seaplanes capable of operating over India’s reservoirs and water bodies would be manufactured by the company in the future, reflecting India’s progress towards self-reliance.
During the event, agreements were signed between the Nibe Group and an Israeli company for the development of seaplanes and optical satellite technology.
Nibe Group Executive Director Ganesh Nibe said that the company has already developed various missile systems such as Pinaka, Garudastra, Vayustra, and BrahMos-related components, through its defence manufacturing initiatives.
In the first session of the programme, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan addressed the gathering and stated that India is currently exporting missiles and defence equipment to more than 100 countries.
He noted that the methods of warfare are rapidly changing, with advanced and artificial intelligence-based weapon systems replacing conventional arms. He stressed the need for a strong industrial base to support such modern defence technologies.
The project will manufacture 155 mm artillery shells and has the capacity to produce five lakh shells annually. The entire production technology and raw materials used in the project are indigenous. Remarkably, the project was completed within just one year.
Spread across nearly 200 acres in the Shirdi industrial area, several additional defence projects are also being developed, including rocket launchers, components for long-range rockets, autonomous drones, and testing facilities for advanced electronic systems.
