Asserting that India must take control of its security-related necessities to remain future-ready, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that conventional warfare and its associated means remain just as relevant today as they were in 1947.
“A nation capable of meeting its own requirements moves forward with the greatest confidence in safeguarding its interests,” said the Defence Minister while performing the Bhoomi Pujan (ground-breaking ceremony) for a state-of-the-art 10,000-tonne Aluminium Extrusion Press at Ordnance Factory Ambajhari, Nagpur, a unit of Yantra India Limited (YIL). Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present on the occasion.
“Today, while the nature of warfare is evolving and enemies are becoming harder to detect, conventional warfare and its associated means remain just as relevant as they were in 1947 and will retain much of the same relevance in 2047 as well,” Singh said.
He further stated that the importance of a strong military-industrial base will continue for a long time, and that the Extrusion Press is a step towards fulfilling a major national requirement while keeping future needs in mind.
The Defence Minister asserted that the Extrusion Press symbolises a shift in the country’s approach—from reliance on imports to the domestic production of critical goods. He described achieving self-sufficiency in security-related necessities as imperative in the current geopolitical scenario to remain future-ready.
The proposed press will be one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in the country. It will support the manufacture of large and complex aluminium alloy profiles required for defence systems and platforms, aerospace and aviation structures, missile programmes, railway and transportation sectors, and other strategic industrial applications.
The project will help reduce dependence on imported critical aluminium extrusions and strengthen the domestic supply chain, while supporting future requirements in strategic sectors through indigenous production.
“This extrusion press addresses a crucial need. Modern fighter jets, missiles, and advanced space programmes require metals that are lightweight yet strong and capable of withstanding extreme conditions. Such metals are produced through specialised processes. If the quality of the metal is superior, it will perform effectively in every situation,” the Defence Minister said.
Highlighting the significant role played by Made-in-India equipment in the success of Operation Sindoor, Singh stressed the need to increase indigenous manufacturing of robust hardware to complement the bravery of defence personnel.
He underlined that thousands of crucial components constitute the true strength of large machines and said that the Extrusion Press would go a long way in making the nation self-reliant in this critical domain.
Singh highlighted that the Government is moving ahead to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat by simultaneously focusing on four key pillars—technology, workforce, knowledge, and faith in the nation.
He stated that the Government’s persistent efforts are yielding positive results. Domestic defence production, which stood at Rs 46,000 crore in 2014, has risen to a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in the financial year 2025–26.
Singh added that India’s defence exports, which were valued at less than Rs 1,000 crore in 2014, have now surged to an all-time high of Rs 38,424 crore.
“This represents not merely a rise in numbers but a growth in India’s capabilities. It signifies an increase in the nation’s self-confidence. We are poised to achieve our targets of Rs 3 lakh crore in defence production and Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports within the next two to three years, ahead of schedule,” he said.
The Defence Minister acknowledged the efforts of YIL in making a significant contribution towards advancing self-reliance. He stated that the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was undertaken to make the system stronger and more agile in response to changing times and emerging technologies, and that YIL is a product of that transformation.
“Post-corporatisation, we envisaged that the new entities would enjoy sufficient operational autonomy and gain opportunities to excel in innovation, risk-taking, research, and exports. All the new Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) have successfully moved in that direction. OFB’s production, which stood at Rs 12,755 crore in the pre-corporatisation year of FY 2019–20, has increased to Rs 26,282 crore in FY 2025–26.
“In defence exports, the figure stood at a mere Rs 81 crore prior to corporatisation. It has now surged to Rs 4,561 crore, with YIL contributing Rs 397 crore,” he added.
Singh described Research and Development (R&D) and capital infusion as key drivers of industrial growth in today’s competitive world. He stated that R&D is essential for long-term progress and competitiveness, adding that organisations embracing innovation are the ones that lead the future.
On capital infusion, he said that installing new machinery and investing in modern equipment creates a vital technological linkage.
“Through modern machinery, new technologies become integrated into the manufacturing system, enhancing production efficiency, improving quality, and making the system more modern and efficient,” the Defence Minister said.
Singh emphasised that Public Sector Enterprises must prioritise the installation of efficient machinery and modernisation, as investment in the latest technology and advanced production systems is essential for future competitiveness.
This, he said, would ensure that corporate entities meet national expectations and establish a strong presence on the global stage. He also called upon DPSUs to study and adopt best practices wherever necessary to move forward in sync with changing times.