India must take control of security-related necessities to remain future-ready, says Raksha Mantri after Bhoomi Pujan for 10,000-Tons Aluminium Extrusion Press at YIL, Nagpur

"A nation capable of meeting its own requirements moves forward with the greatest confidence towards safeguarding its interests," said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh as he performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the state-of-the-art 10,000-Tons Aluminium Extrusion Press, along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, at Ordnance Factory Ambajhari, Nagpur, a unit of Yantra India Limited (YIL) on June 19, 2026. He asserted that the Extrusion Press symbolises a shift in the country's approach from relying on imports to producing critical goods domestically. He described taking control of security-related necessities as imperative in the present geopolitical scenario to remain future-ready.

The proposed press will be one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in the country. It will support the manufacture of large and complex aluminium alloy profiles required for defence systems & platforms, aerospace & aviation structures, missile programmes, railways & transportation sectors and other strategic industrial applications. The project will help reduce dependence on imports of critical aluminium extrusions and strengthen the domestic supply chain, while supporting the future requirements in strategic sectors through indigenous production.

"This extrusion press addresses a crucial need. Modern fighter jets, missiles, and advanced space programmes require metals that are lightweight and strong, capable of withstanding even the most extreme conditions. Such metals are produced through specialised processes. If the quality of the metal is superior, it will serve well in every situation," said Raksha Mantri.

Highlighting the significant role played by Made-in-India equipment in the success of Operation Sindoor, Shri Rajnath Singh stressed the need to increase the indigenous manufacturing of robust hardware to complement the bravery of defence forces personnel. He underlined that thousands of crucial components constitute the true strength of big machines, and the extrusion press will go a long way in making the nation self-reliant in this critical domain.

Raksha Mantri added that, today, while the nature of warfare is evolving and enemies are harder to detect, conventional warfare & its associated means remain just as relevant as they were in 1947, and will retain much of the same relevance in 2047 as well. He furthered that the importance of a strong military-industrial base will continue for a long time, and the Extrusion Press is a step towards fulfilling a major national need, keeping the future requirements in mind.

Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted that the Government is marching ahead to realise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat by simultaneously working on four key elements - technology, workforce, knowledge, and faith in the nation. He stated that the Government's persistent efforts are yielding positive results as the domestic defence production, which stood at Rs 46,000 crore in 2014, has risen to a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in Financial Year (FY) 2025-26. He added that the nation was exporting arms and equipment worth less than Rs 1,000 crore in 2014, which has now skyrocketed to an all-time high of Rs 38,424 crore. "This represents not just a rise in numbers, but a growth in India's capabilities. It signifies a boost in the nation's self-confidence. We are poised to achieve the targets we have set for the next 2-3 years - Rs 3 lakh crore defence production and Rs 50,000 crore defence exports ahead of schedule," he said.

Raksha Mantri acknowledged the efforts being made by YIL in making a significant contribution to advancing the goal of self-reliance. He stated that the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was carried out to make the system stronger and more agile in view of the changing times, and emerging technologies, and YIL is a result of that transformation. "Post-corporatisation, we envisioned that the new entities enjoy sufficient operational autonomy and gain opportunities to excel in innovation, risk-taking, research, and exports. All the new DPSUs have successfully moved in that direction. OFB's production, which stood at Rs 12,755 crore in the pre-corporatisation year of FY 2019-20, has risen to Rs 26,282 crore in FY 2025-26. In defence exports, the figure stood at a mere Rs 81 crore prior to corporatisation. It has now surged to Rs 4,561 crore, with YIL contributing Rs 397 crore," he added.

Shri Rajnath Singh termed 'Research & Development (R&D)' and 'Capital Infusion' as key elements that drive an industrial entity forward in today's competitive world. He stated that R&D is pivotal for an entity to progress and compete in the long-term, adding that organisations that embrace innovation lead the future. On capital infusion, he said that installing new machinery or investing in modern equipment brings a vital technological linkage. "Through modern machinery, new technologies become part of the manufacturing system, increasing efficiency in production processes, improving quality, and making the system more modern & efficient," he said.

Raksha Mantri emphasised that Public Sector Enterprises must prioritise efficient machinery installation and modernisation, as investment in latest technology and advanced production systems is a necessity for future competitiveness. This would ensure that corporate entities meet national expectations and make a strong presence felt on global standards, he added, calling upon DPSUs to study and adopt best practices wherever necessary to move forward in sync with the changing times.

In his address, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra described the Aluminium Extrusion Press as a major step towards achieving the vision of Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. He added that the world is recognising the growth of India's defence sector, as the nation is positioning itself as an exporter in the international market due to the Central Government's efforts.

Shri Devendra Fadnavis described Operation Sindoor as a shining example of the technological prowess and unique capabilities of New India. He added that the growing collaboration between the DPSUs and the private sector is taking the nation to greater heights. He expressed confidence that the Extrusion Press will help Nagpur and the entire region to become an important player in achieving the goal of self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar; Joint Secretary, Department of Defence Production Dr Garima Bhagat; Director (Operations) and CMD (Additional Charge), YIL Shri Vijaykumar Iyer; other senior officials of DDP & YIL; officers from the defence forces, and industry representatives were present on the occasion.

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VK/Savvy