Kalyani’s Jejuri Plant to Become Major Global Artillery Manufacturer
Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), a subsidiary of Bharat Forge Limited, is poised to inaugurate a cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Jejuri, near Pune, Maharashtra. This state-of-the-art plant is designed to produce between 250 to 300 artillery guns and over 1,000 military vehicles annually, positioning it as one of the largest artillery manufacturing units globally, second only to China’s state-owned NORINCO.
The Jejuri facility will serve as a consolidated hub for KSSL’s diverse defense production, encompassing advanced artillery systems and a range of military vehicles. These vehicles include protected mobility solutions like the Light Strike Vehicle (LSV), engineered for deployment across varied terrains, from high-altitude regions to areas affected by insurgency.
Equipped with advanced infrastructure, such as Vertical Machining Centers (VMCs) with Computer Numerical Control (CNC) capabilities, the plant ensures precision manufacturing and scalability. KSSL has designed the facility’s ecosystem to be flexible, allowing for an increase in production capacity beyond the initial targets to meet rising demand.
This development aligns with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiative, aiming to boost domestic defense production and reduce reliance on imports. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, India’s defense production reached ₹747.39 billion (approximately $9 billion), with exports accounting for ₹210.83 billion (around $2.5 billion), marking a 32.5% increase from the previous year. The Ministry of Defense has set ambitious goals to triple production to ₹3 trillion and double exports to ₹500 billion by the fiscal year 2028-2029.
KSSL’s Jejuri plant is poised to play a pivotal role in achieving these objectives. The company has secured orders ensuring full capacity utilization for the next three years, including a notable $155.5 million export order. Additionally, KSSL has entered into a Letter of Intent with U.S.-based AM General, marking the first instance of Indian-made artillery systems being supplied to the United States. This collaboration signifies a significant milestone in India’s defense export capabilities and underscores KSSL’s emergence as a key player in the global defense manufacturing sector.
