**Executive Summary**
On May 23, 2026, the Raksha Mantri and the Maharashtra Chief Minister inaugurated a private sector Defence Manufacturing Complex in Shirdi to bolster India’s self-reliance in advanced weaponry and space technology. The event marked the launch of the ‘Suryastra’ rocket launching system and established a target to increase private sector contribution in defence production from 30% to 50%. This initiative aligns with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ goals, aiming to transform India into a global hub for munitions and automation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Inaugurations and Technological Milestones**
* **New Manufacturing Complex:** Inauguration of the NIBE Group facility in Shirdi for manufacturing artillery systems, missiles, space technologies, and autonomous platforms.
* **Suryastra Launch:** Flagging-off of India’s first 300 KM Universal Rocket Launching System.
* **Indigenous Technologies:** Unveiling of indigenous TNT and RDX plant technologies, alongside a Renewable Bio-Energy Compressed Biogas Plant.
* **Strategic Partnerships:** Exchange of an MoU between NIBE Group and Black Sky for satellite assembly.
**Strategic Vision and Policy Framework**
* **Aatmanirbharta (Self-Reliance):** Emphasis on self-reliance in ammunition as a necessity for peace, development, and economic resilience.
* **Global Manufacturing Hub:** The government aims to transition India into a frontrunner for munitions and automated systems through "Make-in-India" initiatives.
* **Private Sector Growth:** Recognition of the private sector's shift from being a supplier of components to an innovator of state-of-the-art weapon systems.
* **Support Schemes:** Continued implementation of liberalized FDI norms, the Strategic Partnership Model, and schemes like iDEX, ADITI, and the Technology Development Fund (TDF).
**Future Warfare and Technology**
* **Automation:** Future wars will be determined by advancements in munitions and automation rather than force size.
* **Human-Centric Tech:** Modern technology is intended to augment, not replace, the capabilities of soldiers, ensuring final decisions remain in human hands.
**Impact Analysis**
**Private Sector Industries (e.g., NIBE Group, Black Sky)**
**Impact**
Private firms are transitioning into primary manufacturers of advanced weapon systems, benefiting from liberalized policies and increased production targets.
**Action Required**
Must enhance innovation and manufacturing capabilities to meet the government’s goal of a 50% contribution to total defence production.
**MSMEs and Local Economy**
**Impact**
The establishment of large-scale complexes creates a vast ecosystem for ancillary units, vendors, and small-scale industries, stimulating the local economy.
**Action Required**
Engage as suppliers and vendors for the production of ammunition, missiles, and satellite components.
**Indian Defence Forces**
**Impact**
Forces will receive indigenous, state-of-the-art equipment like the ‘Suryastra,’ reducing dependence on foreign supply chains and bolstering national security.
**Action Required**
Adopt and integrate these new automated systems and indigenous technologies into operational strategies.
**Youth and Innovators**
**Impact**
The expansion of high-technology industries provides employment and opportunities to acquire cutting-edge technological skill sets.
**Action Required**
Utilize government schemes like iDEX and ADITI to develop innovative solutions for future warfare.
Key Entities Referenced
NIBE Group: The private sector company that established the Defence Manufacturing Complex for artillery, missile, and space systems.
Suryastra: India’s first 300 KM Universal Rocket Launching System flagged off to enhance future warfare capabilities.
Shirdi, Maharashtra: The central location where the newly inaugurated private sector Defence Manufacturing Complex is situated.
Positive Indigenisation Lists: Policy notifications issued by the Ministry of Defence to mandate domestic procurement and promote self-reliance.
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX): A government scheme aimed at fostering innovation and technology development by startups and the private sector.
Ministry of Defence
A nation that manufactures its own weaponry
writes its own destiny: Raksha Mantri
RM & Maharashtra CM inaugurate a private sector Defence
Manufacturing Complex in Shirdi
India’s first 300 KM Universal Rocket Launching System
flagged-off
“Need to transform India into a global hub for munitions &
automation, Govt ready to take every necessary step”
“Aatmanirbharta in defence is not merely a requirement for
war, it’s a necessity for peace, development & economic
resilience”
Posted On: 23 MAY 2026 7:15PM by PIB Delhi
“A nation that manufactures its own weaponry writes its own destiny,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath
Singh as he, along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, inaugurated a Defence
Manufacturing Complex of a private sector company, NIBE Group’ at Shirdi on May 23, 2026. The
complex intends to manufacture advanced artillery systems, missile & space technologies, rocket systems,
energetic materials, and autonomous defence platforms.India’s first 300 KM Universal Rocket Launching System ‘Suryastra’ was flagged-off as part of the event.
The foundation stone was also laid for a missile complex for the system. Furthermore, the unveiling of
indigenous TNT Plant Technology, RDX Plant Technology and Renewable Bio-Energy Compressed
Biogas Plant took place during the ceremony. An MoU was also exchanged between NIBE Group and
Black Sky in the field of satellite assembly.
Raksha Mantri stressed the importance of self-reliance in ammunition production, and exuded confidence
that the complex would help in fulfilling the operational requirements of the defence forces & bolster the
industrial ecosystem of the country. He stated that defence production, which was earlier largely confined
to the Public Sector Units & Ordnance factories, was opened to the private sector by Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi-led Government. “We recognised the capabilities of the private sector as it can transform
India into a global manufacturing hub,” he said.
Shri Rajnath Singh emphasised that the outcome of future wars will be determined by the nation’s
advancements & capabilities in munitions and automation, and not by the size of its forces. “Glimpses of
this reality can be witnessed in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the West Asia situation. India
demonstrated this capability during Operation Sindoor,” he said.
Raksha Mantri pointed out that India's private industries possess a deep understanding of the dynamics of
future warfare and are working relentlessly to equip the country with state-of-the-art systems. He called
for concerted efforts of all stakeholders to transform India into a global hub for munitions and automation,
adding that the Government is consistently promoting Make-in-India in critical technologies and advanced
systems. “We stand ready to take every necessary step to ensure that India emerges as a frontrunner in
munitions and automated systems,” he stated.
Shri Rajnath Singh underlined that the fundamental objective of technology is not to diminish the
capabilities of soldiers, but to augment them, and the final decision must always remain in human hands.
He said modern weaponry and automated systems are playing an increasingly significant role in future
warfare, and it is imperative for India to advance in this direction. “Let us collectively pledge to make
India completely self-reliant in defence and space technology,” he said, urging the defence companies to
enhance India's capabilities for the wars of the future.Highlighting the measures undertaken by the Ministry of Defence over the last decade, Raksha Mantri
said that bold policy reforms, liberalised FDI norms, introduction of Strategic Partnership Model,
notification of Positive Indigenisation Lists, and launch of schemes such as Innovations for Defence
Excellence (iDEX), Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) and Technology
Development Fund (TDF) are providing impetus to young innovators. He underlined that the private
sector is playing a crucial role in realising the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India, as the
brave soldiers are protecting national interests on the back of the strength being provided by the domestic
industry.
“There was a time when private sector contribution in defence production was negligible. It has now
reached approx. 25-30 per cent. Our objective is to take this figure to 50 per cent in the coming years. This
is the New India where the private industry is not merely a supplier of nuts & bolts, but is emerging as the
innovator and manufacturer of state-of-the-art weapon systems. The nation touches greater heights when
the vision of the Government converges with the innovation of the private sector,” said Shri Rajnath
Singh.
Raksha Mantri asserted that, in today's world, ‘security’ and ‘economy’ can no longer be viewed in
isolation, as a robust economy serves as the bedrock for a strong military and modern defence capabilities.
“National security creates a stable environment conducive to investment, industrial growth, and overall
development. However, we are currently witnessing the weaponisation of almost everything - from trade
and supply chains to even rare earth minerals. In such times, we cannot remain dependent on others for
our defence manufacturing needs. Aatmanirbharta in defence production is not merely a requirement for
war, but also a necessity for peace, development, and economic resilience,” he added.Shri Rajnath Singh added that the plants being inaugurated today are poised to become research-oriented
hubs, which would further bolster India’s defence capabilities. He hoped that the missile complex for the
Universal Rocket Launching System will provide a new direction to India's future warfare capabilities.
“Powered by indigenous technology, this rocket system will multiply our strike capability manifold and
prove to be a strategic game-changer,” he said.
Raksha Mantri appreciated the fact that the complex will create a vast ecosystem not just for high-
technology industries, but also for MSMEs, small-scale industries, and the local economy. “The
production of ammunition, missiles, rocket systems, and satellite components will engage ancillary units,
suppliers, and vendors. It will generate employment, and empower the youth of this region with cutting-
edge technological skill sets, enabling them to contribute to nation-building,” he hoped.
In his address, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra commended the efforts of the Central Government
towards enhancing the defence preparedness of the country through Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-
India initiatives. He described Operation Sindoor as a shining example of the unmatched bravery of the
Indian soldiers as well as the growing indigenous defence capabilities of the nation. He highlighted that
India’s defence ecosystem has transformed due to the active and equal participation of the public &
private sectors, and it will continue to provide continued strength to the defence forces for safeguarding
national interests. He added that as India continues to enhance its strategic might, it is playing a
constructive role in promoting global peace and stability.The event also featured technology demonstrations, MSME defence capability displays, and interactions
with industry leaders and defence stakeholders. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan;
Maharashtra Government’s Minister of Industries Shri Uday Samant; Minister of Water Resources Shri
Radhakrishna E. Vikhepatil; Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar; Secretary, Department
of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat; other senior civil & military officials, strategic
partners, and industry stakeholders were present on the occasion.
VK/Savvy
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