Defence minister Rajnath Singh to inaugurate country’s largest private sector defence unit in Shirdi on May 23

Nashik: Union defence minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate a major artillery shell manufacturing facility in Savali Vihir industrial estate of the MIDC near Shirdi in Ahilyanagar district today, marking a significant step towards boosting indigenous defence production.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will preside over the programme at the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).The facility, developed by Globe Forge Ltd, is part of the larger Shirdi Defence Manufacturing Complex, and has been set up with an investment of Rs1,000 crore. Spread across 200 acres, the plant has the capacity to manufacture up to 5 lakh 155mm artillery shells annually, making it the largest private-sector unit of its kind in India.The project has been completed within a year and is based entirely on indigenous technology and raw materials. The complex will also house manufacturing units for rocket launchers, long-range rocket components, drones, and electronic testing systems, further strengthening the country’s defence production ecosystem.The project is expected to generate around 2,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, while also creating business prospects for local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Officials added that the initiative will significantly benefit the regional economy and position Ahilyanagar district as an emerging defence manufacturing hub.In addition, a parallel ordnance complex is being developed at Belwandi in Shrigonda taluka over 600 acres, with a proposed investment of Rs2,000 crore. This facility will focus on manufacturing explosives such as TNT, RDX and HMX, with an annual production capacity of 20,000 tonnes of TNT, which is expected to be among the largest in both govt and private sectors.Guardian minister of Ahilyanagar district, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, said that once fully operational, these projects together could provide employment to around 4,000-5,000 youths in the region.To mark the inauguration, a two-day defence exhibition will be organised in Shirdi on May 23-24. The event will feature leading defence companies along with participation from over 100 MSMEs, showcasing advancements in defence technology and manufacturing.Officials stated that the projects align with the Centre’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, ‘Make in India’, and ‘Make for the World’ initiatives, aimed at strengthening the country’s self-reliance in defence production.