India unveils its largest private artillery shell plant in Shirdi

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated India’s largest private-sector artillery shell manufacturing facility in Shirdi. The plant, operated by Nibe Group, marks a major step in the country’s push for self-reliance in defence production. Officials described the project as a turning point for India’s military-industrial capabilities. The newly opened Defence Manufacturing Complex and Artillery Shell Production Project can produce nearly five lakh shells each year. Singh called the launch a 'golden chapter' in India’s journey toward defence independence. He stressed that future conflicts would depend more on technology and precision weapons than sheer troop numbers.

Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan added that modern battlefields now extend into cyberspace, data networks, and information warfare. The event also saw Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announce that the state’s proposed defence corridor was nearing completion. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' policies for shifting the sector from imports to exports.

Nibe Group’s Chairman, Ganesh Ramesh Nibe, called the inauguration a historic moment for both the company and India’s self-reliance mission. Singh further praised private firms like Nibe for boosting indigenous defence technology. The government has set an ambitious target: becoming the world’s top defence exporter within the next two decades. The Shirdi facility strengthens India’s position as a growing defence manufacturer. With expanded private-sector involvement, the country aims to reduce foreign dependence while scaling up exports. The project aligns with broader plans to modernise military production through advanced technology and domestic innovation.