India unveils its largest private artillery shell plant in Shirdi

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated India’s largest private-sector artillery shell manufacturing facility in Shirdi on Monday. The event also marked the launch of Nibe Group’s Defence Manufacturing Complex, a project worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore. Top officials, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, attended the ceremony. The newly opened facility will produce nearly five lakh artillery shells annually. Singh described the development as a ‘golden chapter’ in India’s push for self-reliance in defence production. He stressed that future conflicts would depend more on technological strength and advanced ammunition than sheer troop numbers.

General Chauhan echoed this view, warning that modern battlefields now extend into cyberspace and data networks. Meanwhile, Fadnavis announced that Maharashtra’s defence corridor was nearing completion, reinforcing the state’s role in the sector.

The Nibe project is expected to create around 4,000 jobs. Singh also highlighted the private sector’s expanding contribution to India’s defence capabilities. The government has set a target for the country to become the world’s leading defence exporter within the next two decades. The Shirdi facility marks a major step in India’s defence manufacturing growth. With significant investment and job creation, the project aligns with the nation’s long-term goal of dominating the global defence market. Officials have emphasised technology and innovation as key factors in shaping future military strength.