Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande during his visit to the Ammunition and Missile Complex in Kanpur stressed the strategic importance of indigenous ammunition production for maintaining operational readiness during conflicts.
The Indian Army currently possesses a wide inventory of ammunition, with many variants already indigenized. However, due to production constraints and large requirements, there exists a demand-supply gap that needs to be addressed through collaboration with private industry.
On the 26th of February 2024, General Pande visited the Ammunition and Missile Complex in Kanpur and spoke to a gathering of government officials, industry leaders, and other dignitaries.
General Pande highlighted various initiatives undertaken by the Government and the Indian Army to support the defense manufacturing sector. These initiatives include policy provisions, licensing norms, the establishment of Defense Industrial Corridors, and support for trials and testing. He emphasized the importance of transforming the Indian Army into a self-reliant and future-ready force, capable of sourcing or producing all necessary equipment indigenously.
The Army Chief acknowledged the high-tech and high-cost nature of ammunition manufacturing, which requires significant investment in research, development, infrastructure, and testing facilities. He emphasized the importance of stringent quality control measures throughout the manufacturing process to ensure safety and performance standards are met.
And also highlighted the export potential of Indian-manufactured ammunition, given the growing global demand. With India’s competitive manufacturing costs and expertise in ammunition production, there is an opportunity to emerge as a global hub for niche technology and innovation in this field.
The General noted the encouraging participation of the defense industry in ammunition manufacturing, facilitated by policy changes and collaborative efforts. He expressed satisfaction that over 85 percent of the Army’s ammunition is now sourced domestically, with more cases in advanced stages of development.
To further promote indigenous ammunition production, the Indian Army has developed a time-bound indigenization plan and identified specific categories for manufacture by the Indian industry. Additionally, MAKE programs are underway for developing new-generation ammunition, including electronic fuses.
General Pande expressed confidence that with the enthusiasm of the industry and India’s competitive advantages, the nation will soon realize the vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ in ammunition production. He called upon all stakeholders to contribute to India’s self-reliance goals and the aspirations of a rising nation.