Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized on Friday that conventional warfare and military means remain relevant today as they were in 1947, and will continue to be crucial even in 2047. Addressing the ground-breaking ceremony for the 10,000-ton Aluminium Extrusion Press at the state-owned Yantra India Limited (YIL) in Ambajhari, Nagpur, Singh noted that wars today are taking new forms, with borders becoming increasingly blurred and adversaries often operating in ways that are difficult to detect. As reported by PTI, he stated that "We often say that the war is changing forms, borders are blurring, enemies go undetectable leaving armies standing, and the country is destabilised. Still, conventional warfare and means are still as relevant as they were in 1947. Even in 2047, they will continue to be relevant as they are today." The Defence Minister highlighted that despite the changing nature of warfare and the emergence of new-age security threats, conventional military capabilities will continue to remain relevant, making a strong military-industrial base essential for the country's security.
Singh highlighted the critical importance of domestic manufacturing capabilities during times of conflict. As reported by Business Standard, he stated that supply chains can get disrupted when war erupts, and every nation wants essential items to be manufactured domestically. The Defence Minister emphasized that a nation that fulfils its own needs can march ahead confidently, underscoring the strategic importance of self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Singh noted that in such scenarios, every nation wants essential items to be manufactured domestically, making domestic production crucial for national security and strategic independence. Describing the project as a strategic step towards self-reliance, Singh said the new facility symbolises India's shift from dependence on imports to domestic production of critical defence and industrial materials.
India's defence sector has demonstrated remarkable growth under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, with defence production surging to a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, compared to ₹46,000 crore in 2014, according to Singh's statements reported by Business Standard. The country's defence exports have now risen to an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore from less than ₹1,000 crore in 2014, representing a significant expansion in the sector's global presence. Singh noted that "We are poised to achieve our targets of ₹3 lakh crore in defence production and ₹50,000 crore in defence exports ahead of schedule." This growth trajectory reflects India's increasing capability in defence manufacturing and export competitiveness, with the Defence Minister emphasizing that a nation capable of meeting its own requirements moves forward with the greatest confidence towards safeguarding its interests.
The new 10,000-ton aluminium extrusion press facility at Yantra India Limited represents a significant advancement in India's defence manufacturing capabilities. As reported by ANI, this state-of-the-art facility at YIL's Ordnance Factory Ambajhari facility in Nagpur is expected to enhance India's capability to manufacture critical aluminium alloy extrusions for defence and aerospace applications. The proposed extrusion press, among the most advanced in the country, will manufacture large and complex aluminium alloy profiles used in defence platforms, missile systems, aerospace structures, railways and other strategic sectors. Singh emphasized that "This extrusion press addresses a crucial need. Modern fighter jets, missiles and advanced space programmes require lightweight yet strong metals capable of withstanding extreme conditions. Such materials are produced through specialised processes." The project is expected to reduce dependence on imported aluminium extrusions while strengthening domestic supply chains, with the facility helping India achieve self-reliance in a crucial segment of defence production.
Singh highlighted the successful corporatisation of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board in 2021, emphasizing the government's vision for autonomous defence manufacturing entities. As reported by ANI, he stated that "Post-corporatisation, we envisaged entities with greater operational autonomy and stronger capabilities in innovation, research and exports. All the new defence public sector undertakings have moved in that direction." Expressing satisfaction over the progress made by the new entities, Singh said they were moving in the intended direction and contributing to the government's vision of building a self-reliant defence manufacturing ecosystem. According to Singh, OFB's production has more than doubled from ₹12,755 crore in FY 2019-20 to ₹26,282 crore in FY 2025-26, while defence exports from these entities have surged from ₹81 crore to ₹4,561 crore during the same period, with Yantra India Limited contributing ₹397 crore. The Defence Minister stressed that the importance of a strong military-industrial base would continue for decades and emphasized the need to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities to meet future challenges.
