Rajnath Singh lays foundation for advanced aluminium extrusion facility at Nagpur ordnance factory
New Delhi, June 19. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on June 19 laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art 10,000-tonne Aluminium Extrusion Press at the Ordnance Factory Ambajhari in Nagpur, describing the project as a significant step towards strengthening India’s defence self-reliance and reducing dependence on imports of critical materials.
The Bhoomi Pujan ceremony was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior officials of the Ministry of Defence and Yantra India Limited (YIL), which operates the facility.
The proposed extrusion press, one of the most advanced of its kind in the country, will manufacture large and complex aluminium alloy profiles used in defence systems, aerospace and aviation structures, missile programmes, railways and other strategic sectors. The project is expected to bolster domestic supply chains and support indigenous production requirements in critical industries.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said nations capable of meeting their own requirements are better positioned to safeguard their interests. He stressed that the changing geopolitical environment made it imperative for India to take control of its security-related needs and remain prepared for future challenges.
He noted that modern fighter aircraft, missiles and space programmes require lightweight yet highly durable metals produced through specialised processes, and said the new facility would address a crucial gap in the country’s manufacturing ecosystem.
Highlighting the role played by indigenous equipment during Operation Sindoor, the Defence Minister emphasised the need to further strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities. He said thousands of components form the backbone of major military platforms and asserted that the new extrusion press would contribute significantly to achieving self-reliance in this critical segment.
Singh said that despite the evolving nature of warfare, conventional military capabilities and a strong industrial base would continue to remain relevant in the decades ahead. According to him, the new facility has been conceived with future defence requirements in mind.
Citing the government’s push for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India), Singh said India’s defence production had increased from ₹46,000 crore ($4.88 billion) in 2014 to a record ₹1.78 lakh crore ($18.9 billion) in 2025-26. Defence exports, which were below ₹1,000 crore in 2014, have surged to an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore, he added.
Expressing confidence that the country would achieve its targets of ₹3 lakh crore in defence production and ₹50,000 crore in defence exports ahead of schedule, Singh said the rise reflected not only stronger industrial capabilities but also growing national confidence.
The minister also highlighted the transformation brought about by the corporatisation of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board. He said production by the former OFB entities had risen from ₹12,755 crore in 2019-20 to ₹26,282 crore in 2025-26, while defence exports had expanded from ₹81 crore before corporatisation to ₹4,561 crore. YIL alone accounted for exports worth ₹397 crore, he said.
Singh identified research and development and capital infusion as essential drivers of industrial growth, stressing that investment in modern machinery and advanced technologies was necessary to enhance efficiency, quality and long-term competitiveness. He urged defence public sector undertakings to adopt best practices and accelerate modernisation to meet national expectations and compete globally.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the Aluminium Extrusion Press project as an important milestone in achieving the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). He said the world was increasingly recognising India’s growing defence capabilities and noted that the country’s emergence as a defence exporter was the result of sustained efforts by the Centre.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, Fadnavis said the mission demonstrated the technological capabilities of ‘New India’. He added that increasing cooperation between defence public sector undertakings and private industry was strengthening the country’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and expressed confidence that the new facility would help transform Nagpur and the surrounding region into an important hub for indigenous defence production.
Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, Joint Secretary Garima Bhagat, and YIL Director (Operations) and Chairman and Managing Director (additional charge) Vijaykumar Iyer, along with senior officials, defence personnel and industry representatives, were present at the event.
