DBT Bureau
Pune, 24 May 2026
NIBE Group marked a defining milestone in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing journey with the inauguration of its state-of-the-art Defence Manufacturing Complex in Shirdi, Maharashtra, in the presence of Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, Government of India, and Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Among the dignitaries present were General Anil Chauhan, Uday Samant, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Lt Gen Sandeep Jain, Lt Gen Anoop Shinghal, Air Marshal Premkumar Krishnaswamy, Dr. Sameer Kamat, Lt Gen Vineet Gaur, and Swami BrahmVihari ji. The integrated defence manufacturing complex has been envisioned as a next-generation ecosystem for advanced artillery systems, missile technologies, ammunition manufacturing, rocket systems, energetic materials, autonomous defence platforms, and space technologies.
The integrated Defence Manufacturing Complex has been envisioned as a next-generation ecosystem dedicated to:
- 155mm Ammunition Shell Manufacturing Plant (5 lakh shells annually)
- Inauguration of Indigenous TNT Plant Technology
- Inauguration of Indigenous RDX Plant Technology
- Inauguration of Bio-CNG & Hydrogen Fuel Plant
- Flag-off ceremony of Suryastra – 300 KM Universal Rocket Launching System
- Space & Satellite Technologies
One of the most significant highlights of the ceremony was the unveiling and ceremonial flag-off of “Suryastra”, India’s first indigenous 300 KM Universal Rocket Launching System, symbolizing a major leap in long-range precision strike capabilities and advanced battlefield systems.
The event also highlighted the successful trials of the 100 KM Loitering Munition “Skystriker”, further demonstrating NIBE Group’s expanding technological footprint in next-generation warfare systems.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said: “I am delighted to witness the scale at which NIBE Group has built its expertise in defence equipment development and manufacturing in support of the national objective of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’. This scale and capability will propel India into a completely new era of next-generation defence weapons manufacturing.” He further congratulated the leadership of NIBE Group for contributing meaningfully toward India’s strategic self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Maharashtra to Emerge as a Major Defence Corridor.
Speaking at the inauguration, Devendra Fadnavis emphasized Maharashtra’s growing role in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. “This inauguration marks an important chapter in the realization of Maharashtra’s defence corridor vision across regions including Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, and Ahilyanagar. NIBE Group’s achievement in successfully completing trials of India’s first 300 KM Universal Rocket Launching System ‘Suryastra’ and 100 KM loitering munition ‘VayuAstra’ is commendable and strategically significant.”
Speaking on the occasion, Ganesh Nibe reiterated the company’s long-term commitment to strengthening India’s strategic manufacturing ecosystem. “NIBE Group remains deeply committed to supporting the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat by building world-class indigenous capabilities, reducing import dependency in critical defence sectors, and positioning India as a global defence manufacturing hub.”
The Shirdi Defence Manufacturing Complex is expected to generate more than 3,000 direct employment opportunities while creating a robust ecosystem for advanced defence manufacturing, innovation, MSME collaboration, and technology development in India.
