MIDHANI Targets Doubling of Exports as Global Aerospace Demand Accelerates

Farnborough. State-owned special alloys manufacturer Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) is targeting a significant expansion of its global business, with plans to double exports from the current 10 per cent of turnover to around 20 per cent over the coming years as international demand for strategic aerospace and defence materials gathers pace.

Speaking during the Farnborough International Airshow, Dr. S.V.S. Narayana Murty, Chairman and Managing Director of MIDHANI, said the company is leveraging growing global interest in secure and reliable supply chains for critical materials amid an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.

At Farnborough, MIDHANI is showcasing its extensive capabilities in superalloys, titanium alloys and high-strength special steels, aiming to strengthen relationships with global aerospace manufacturers, defence companies and strategic industries.

“We are receiving increasing enquiries from overseas customers because of the present geopolitical situation. Our participation here is intended to demonstrate our capabilities and strengthen exports through direct engagement with international customers,” Dr. Murty said.

The Hyderabad-headquartered defence public sector enterprise has built a reputation as India’s premier producer of advanced metallurgical materials used in aerospace, defence, space, nuclear energy and other critical strategic applications. Today, MIDHANI exports its products to nearly 30 countries, serving both government agencies and global industrial customers.

“Currently exports account for nearly 10 per cent of our business. Our objective is to increase this to about 20 per cent by expanding our global customer base and demonstrating our technological capabilities at international platforms,” he said.

The company believes the ongoing restructuring of global supply chains, coupled with rising defence expenditure across many countries, has created fresh opportunities for reliable suppliers of speciality alloys.

Capitalising on Global Supply Chain Shifts

The growing demand for strategic materials has been driven by increasing investments in military modernisation programmes, commercial aerospace recovery and space exploration. International customers are also looking to diversify sourcing beyond traditional suppliers, creating opportunities for companies with proven manufacturing capabilities and stringent quality standards.

Dr. Murty said MIDHANI is well positioned to benefit from this trend because of its decades of experience supplying mission-critical materials for India’s strategic programmes.

“We want to showcase our capabilities in the defence and aerospace sectors and increase our exports. With the present geopolitical situation, we are receiving a growing number of enquiries from global customers, and we expect this participation to benefit our export business,” he added.

Complete Metallurgical Capability

Unlike many alloy manufacturers that specialise in only selected stages of production, MIDHANI possesses integrated manufacturing capabilities covering the entire value chain—from primary melting of specialised alloys to finished products ready for aerospace and defence applications.

The company operates sophisticated metallurgical facilities incorporating Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM), Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR) and Electro Slag Refining (ESR) technologies. These advanced melting processes ensure exceptionally high purity levels and precise metallurgical properties required for critical aerospace components.

Its manufacturing infrastructure also includes 1,500-tonne and 4,000-tonne forging presses, supported by comprehensive heat-treatment, machining and rolling facilities.

Among MIDHANI’s unique strengths is its 3.2-metre-wide rolling mill, enabling production of large titanium and superalloy plates required for aerospace structures, launch vehicles and other strategic applications.

Beyond forged components, the company manufactures a broad range of products includingTitanium and nickel-based superalloy bars; Aerospace-grade plates; High-strength special steels; Titanium pipes; Welding consumables and electrodes; and Precision-engineered alloy products for defence and space programmes.

Dr. Murty said MIDHANI has adequate installed capacity to support higher export volumes without requiring major immediate capacity additions.”We have sufficient manufacturing capability. Higher export orders will help improve utilisation of our existing facilities,” he said.

Backbone of India’s Strategic Programmes

MIDHANI remains one of India’s most important suppliers of specialised materials for strategic national programmes.Its customer base includes the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and several defence production agencies.

HAL continues to be MIDHANI’s largest customer, reflecting the company’s central role in India’s military aviation ecosystem.

In the space sector, MIDHANI supplies specialised alloys for ISRO’s liquid propulsion systems, cryogenic engines, launch vehicle structures and several advanced space missions.

One of its most significant contributions is the manufacture of specialised alloy plates used in the solid rocket motor casings of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

At its Hyderabad facility, the company undertakes melting, forging and rolling of these specialised alloy plates, which are subsequently fabricated into rocket motor casings capable of withstanding the extreme stresses encountered during launch.

The company also supplies high-performance materials for aero-engine components, naval systems, missile programmes, armoured vehicles and nuclear applications, making it an indispensable part of India’s strategic manufacturing ecosystem.

Expanding Value-Added Portfolio

MIDHANI has steadily expanded beyond conventional alloy production into higher value-added products with greater technological complexity and stronger market potential.

The company has invested in advanced metallurgy, precision processing and quality certifications to address increasingly demanding aerospace applications. These capabilities position MIDHANI to participate in global aerospace supply chains where material performance, traceability and certification are critical requirements.

Its ability to manufacture specialised titanium alloys and nickel-based superalloys is expected to become increasingly important as next-generation military aircraft, space systems and commercial engines require lighter, stronger and more heat-resistant materials.

Growth Outlook

MIDHANI’s export ambitions come at a time when global aerospace and defence industries are seeking dependable suppliers of strategic materials. Rising defence investments, expansion of space programmes and the recovery of commercial aviation are expected to create new opportunities for advanced alloy manufacturers.

The company is also strengthening its position in emerging areas such as indigenous aircraft programmes, next-generation propulsion systems and advanced space missions, where specialised materials play a crucial role.

With global customers seeking resilient and trusted supply chains for critical materials, MIDHANI sees significant potential to establish a larger international presence while reinforcing India’s capabilities in advanced metallurgical manufacturing.

The India Pavilion at Farnborough was formally inaugurated by the Deputy High Commissioner of India, London, in the presence of Ravi Kota, Chairman & Managing Director, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and S.V.S. Narayana Murty, Chairman & Managing Director, MIDHANI.