- Kanpur ammunition complex strengthens India’s indigenous defence manufacturing and global export ambitions
- 300 million rounds of annual capacity supports international defence and law-enforcement markets
- AI-enabled quality inspection, automated production and digital traceability reinforce manufacturing excellence
- India’s defence exports surge 62.66% to a record ₹38,424 crore in FY2025–26
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
NEW DELHI, OCT 10
Adani Defence & Aerospace’s expanding role in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem has earned national recognition, with the company winning the SIDM Champion Award 2026 for Excellence in Defence Export. The honour underscores its focus on advanced ammunition manufacturing, technology-driven production and supplying defence products to international markets.
The company received the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) Champion Award 2026 for Export Performance in Defence and Aerospace at the organisation’s eighth annual session in New Delhi on Friday.
Adani Defence & Aerospace manufactures small-calibre ammunition for defence and law-enforcement customers in international markets. Its manufacturing complex in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has an annual production capacity of 300 million rounds and produces ammunition conforming to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards, supporting the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presented the award to Ashish Rajvanshi, Chief Executive Officer of Adani Defence & Aerospace, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Director General (Acquisition) A. Anbarasu. A total of 15 awards recognised achievements across technology development, product innovation, design, import substitution, manufacturing excellence and exports.
Addressing the session, 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.
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 latest honour follows a separate SIDM Champion Award presented to Adani Defence & Aerospace’s Kanpur Ammunition Complex in 2025 for excellence in design, manufacturing and testing.
The Kanpur facility deploys automated manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled quality inspection, real-time data analytics and digital monitoring across its production processes. Its digitally operated shopfloor eliminates manual handling of hazardous materials, while 100% digital traceability across the manufacturing value chain is supported by digital security systems.
The complex also houses a ballistics testing range equipped with an Electronic Pressure, Velocity and Action Time (EPVAT) system. The range is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), India’s apex accreditation body for testing and calibration laboratories.
The recognition comes amid a sharp expansion in India’s defence exports. The country’s defence exports reached a record ₹38,424 crore in FY2025–26, registering 62.66% growth over the previous financial year. The government has set a target of ₹50,000 crore in annual defence exports by 2029.