Adani Defence & Aerospace has been awarded the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) Champion Award 2026 for Export Performance in Defence and Aerospace at its eighth annual session in New Delhi on October 9. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presented the award in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Director General (Acquisition) A. Anbarasu. The 15 awards aim to recognise achievements in technology development, product innovation, design, import substitution, manufacturing excellence and exports, with this recognition specifically showcasing India's indigenous ammunition manufacturing capabilities and global expansion in defence exports.
The company manufactures small-calibre ammunition for defence and law enforcement agencies across global markets, with its Kanpur facility in Uttar Pradesh having an annual production capacity of 300 million rounds and producing ammunition meeting North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards. The facility supports the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by strengthening domestic defence manufacturing capabilities and enabling the company to serve overseas markets effectively. The manufacturing complex utilises automated manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled quality inspection, real-time data analytics and digital monitoring across the production process, with the digital shopfloor eliminating manual handling of hazardous materials and providing 100% digital traceability across the manufacturing value chain.
India's defence exports touched a record ₹38,424 crore in FY2025-26, marking growth of 62.66% over the previous financial year. The government has set a target of ₹50,000 crore in annual defence exports by 2029, highlighting the push to expand India's defence manufacturing and export capabilities. In his address during the session, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for greater private sector participation in defence production, increased investment in research and development, and expanded manufacturing capacity to meet India's defence requirements.
Speaking on the achievement, Adani Defence & Aerospace Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ashish Rajvanshi said, "We are proud to see our efforts in building India's defence manufacturing capabilities recognised. Our focus is on making high-quality products in India and taking them to customers across global markets. We will continue to invest in technology and indigenous manufacturing to meet the evolving needs of defence and security customers." The recognition reflects the company's commitment to expanding its presence in global markets while strengthening India's defence manufacturing capabilities and supporting the government's indigenous manufacturing initiatives.
The latest recognition follows a separate SIDM Champion Award awarded to Adani Defence & Aerospace's Kanpur Ammunition Complex in 2025 for design, manufacturing and testing excellence. The Kanpur facility's digital shopfloor eliminates manual handling of hazardous materials and has 100% digital traceability across the manufacturing value chain, supported by digital security systems. The complex also houses a ballistics testing range equipped with an Electronic Pressure, Velocity and Action Time (EPVAT) system, accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) - India's apex accreditation body for testing and calibration laboratories. The complex demonstrates the company's commitment to advanced manufacturing practices and quality standards.
