Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh: The Adani Group, led by billionaire Gautam Adani, has commenced operations at two defense facilities in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur, marking a significant investment of ₹3,000 crore ($362 million). The move aligns with India’s push for self-reliance and the promotion of local manufacturing in the defense sector.
Adani Defence & Aerospace, a subsidiary of the Adani Group, unveiled the facilities spanning 500 acres, which will focus on the production of small, medium, and large-caliber ammunition for the Indian Armed Forces, paramilitary forces, and police. Karan Adani, the founder’s son overseeing the defense business, highlighted the strategic importance of these factories.
The factories are projected to manufacture 150 million rounds of ammunition annually, addressing approximately 25% of India’s ammunition needs. Karan Adani emphasized the diverse requirements of the Indian Armed Forces and the role these facilities would play in meeting those demands.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on boosting indigenous manufacturing to reduce dependence on imports has created substantial business opportunities for conglomerates like the Adani Group, Tata Group, Larsen & Toubro Ltd., and Mahindra Group. The defense facilities in Kanpur are a response to this call for self-reliance.
Karan Adani, who also serves as the Chief Executive Director of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd., highlighted the significance of reducing dependence on defense imports for India’s strategic autonomy and economic growth. The newly inaugurated manufacturing facility is anticipated to generate over 4,000 jobs.
The manufacturing goals for the facility include producing 200,000 rounds annually of large-caliber artillery and tank ammunition by 2025, along with five million rounds of medium-caliber ammunition a year later. Additionally, the facility aims to manufacture short-range and long-range missiles.
Adani Defence is already involved in the production of drones, anti-drone systems, and small arms such as light machine guns, assault rifles, and pistols, as per the company’s website.