India’s push for defence self-reliance is gaining momentum, and Adani Defence and Aerospace is at the forefront of this transformation.
The company is rapidly expanding its small arms and ammunition production, with its advanced facility already supplying NATO-grade ammunition to international markets and poised to become a cornerstone of the nation’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Its state-of-the-art facility is already exporting NATO-grade ammunition, positioning the company as a cornerstone of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision.
Operational since April 2024, Adani’s ammunition manufacturing complex has achieved a remarkable feat: transitioning from commissioning to exporting in record time. By June 2024, just two months after becoming fully operational, the company began shipping NATO-standard 7.62x51mm and 5.56x45mm rounds to international clients. This quick turnaround is a point of pride for company officials.
While specific client details remain confidential due to non-disclosure agreements, Adani has confirmed that exports are now a key revenue driver. The company aims for overseas markets to account for 25% of its overall turnover by 2030.
Company officials told Stratnewsglobal that their production line boasts near 100% indigenization, encompassing every step from brass strip processing to case manufacturing and final assembly. “We start from the brass strip. The cup, the case, the bullet, everything is made in-house,” a senior executive explained during a recent walkthrough of the Kanpur facility. “The only component currently imported is the primer, which we plan to indigenize within the next two years fully.”
By 2027, Adani Defence expects to achieve complete self-reliance for small and medium-calibre ammunition, eliminating any dependence on foreign components.
The company also highlights a 99.45% quality acceptance rate over the past 15 months, a metric it attributes to rigorous quality control and advanced testing infrastructure. “Our goal is not just volume, but trust. Every round must perform with absolute consistency. The frontline soldier should never have to think twice before pulling the trigger,” the executive emphasized.
The Kanpur facility currently spans 500 acres, with an additional 250 acres earmarked for future expansion. Adani’s ambition is significant: to meet 90-100% of India’s small, medium, and large-calibre ammunition needs by 2030, provided procurement pipelines align and demand forecasts remain stable.
In parallel, Adani is actively working on localizing propellant production. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on imports and public-sector suppliers like Munitions India Limited (MIL). Despite its proximity to traditional ordnance manufacturing hubs, Adani Defence maintains that it is not looking to displace public-sector players. “There’s more than enough demand. Our focus is not to compete, but to complement and to raise the bar,” the executive stated.
Adani’s aggressive entry into the small arms and ammunition segment signals a broader transformation within India’s defence ecosystem. Private sector players are increasingly sharing space with public-sector giants, driven by government reforms, a push for indigenous capabilities, and export-driven strategies, all converging to establish India as a credible global defence supplier.
