Raghu Vamsi Group appoints Dr S K Jha as CEO of the Advanced Materials Division
Former MIDHANI CMD to lead the Group’s advanced materials business and integrated superalloy facility
Hyderabad, Oct 12, 2026. Raghu Vamsi Group, the Hyderabad-headquartered precision aerospace and defence manufacturing group, has appointed Dr S K Jha as Chief Executive Officer of its Advanced Materials Division. He will lead the Group’s advanced materials business, including the development of its integrated nickel-based superalloy manufacturing facility in Telangana.
Dr. Jha brings over three decades of experience in metallurgy, advanced materials, technology development, and strategic manufacturing. He joins Raghu Vamsi Group after serving as Chairman and Managing Director of Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI), where he led initiatives across manufacturing, technology development, product diversification and indigenisation of strategic materials. During his tenure, he was associated with key initiatives, including the establishment of a Wide Plate Mill, commissioning of an 8-tonne Vacuum Induction Melting Furnace and installation of a 6000-tonne Isothermal Forge Press. He also contributed to the development of lattice tubes for nuclear power plants and a high-pressure compressor disc for the Jaguar military aircraft. His experience spans critical aerospace, defence, space and nuclear programmes, including aero-engine programmes, PSLV, GSLV-MkIII, Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan. His background also includes work on Ni-based superalloys for nuclear applications. In his recent advisory and consultancy work, Dr. Jha prepared a DPR for a high-end alloys project for aerospace, defence, space and nuclear applications, and has advised organisations in the special steel and advanced materials sector.
The appointment comes as Raghu Vamsi Group expands its presence in advanced materials. Announced at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, the Group is developing an integrated nickel-based superalloy manufacturing facility in Telangana. The facility will bring vacuum melting, forging, heat treatment, vacuum casting, powder metallurgy and precision forming under one roof, producing tonnes of round bars, wires, forgings, castings, tungsten carbide powders and other specialised products. Commercial production is expected to begin in January 2028.
Nickel-based superalloys are critical for aero engines, defence systems, spacecraft, gas turbines and nuclear power systems, while India continues to rely significantly on imports for several specialised materials. The facility is central to the Group’s strategy of greater vertical integration and strengthening domestic capabilities in strategic materials.
Vamsi Vikas Ganesula, Founder and Managing Director, Raghu Vamsi Group, said: “Strategic materials will play an important role in India’s next phase of growth in aerospace and defence. Dr. Jha brings deep experience across some of the country’s most important programmes, along with a strong understanding of materials, technology and industrial execution. We are pleased to have him lead this important business as we build our advanced materials capabilities.”
Dr. S K Jha, CEO, Advanced Materials Division, Raghu Vamsi Group, said: “India has a strong opportunity to build greater self-reliance in strategic materials, particularly those critical to aerospace, defence and space. Raghu Vamsi has the ambition and investment to build this capability at scale. I look forward to bringing my experience to the programme, developing products to international standards and helping reduce dependence on imports for critical materials.”
The Raghu Vamsi Group is AS9100D and NADCAP certified and supplies global aerospace, defence, energy and medical customers. It operates manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad, alongside group entities in the United Kingdom and the United States, and is commissioning a new integrated campus near Hyderabad’s international airport.
