Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated NIBE Group's Defence Manufacturing Complex in Shirdi on May 23, 2026
The complex will manufacture advanced artillery systems, missile & space technologies, rocket systems, energetic materials, and autonomous defence platforms
India's first 300 KM Universal Rocket Launching System 'Suryastra' was flagged-off during the event
Foundation stone laid for a missile complex for the Universal Rocket Launching System
MoU exchanged between NIBE Group and Black Sky in the field of satellite assembly
Private sector contribution in defence production has reached approximately 25-30%
Government objective to increase private sector contribution to 50% in coming years
Ministry of Defence policy reforms include liberalised FDI norms, Strategic Partnership Model, Positive Indigenisation Lists
Schemes mentioned: Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI), Technology Development Fund (TDF)
The complex will create ecosystem for MSMEs, small-scale industries, and local economy
Production will include ammunition, missiles, rocket systems, and satellite components
Event featured technology demonstrations, MSME defence capability displays, and industry interactions
Attendees included Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Maharashtra Minister of Industries Shri Uday Samant, Minister of Water Resources Shri Radhakrishna E. Vikhepatil, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat
