Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday laid the foundation stone for what is being described as South Asia's largest private-sector missile and advanced defence manufacturing ecosystem, to be developed by Adani Defence & Aerospace in Shivpuri district.
The project, involving an investment of about ₹2,500 crore, is expected to strengthen India's indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities while creating more than 5,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities. It is also expected to integrate hundreds of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the Gwalior-Chambal region into the defence supply chain.
Missile systems, precision munitions to be manufactured
Addressing the foundation stone-laying ceremony, Scindia said the facility would manufacture advanced missile systems, precision-guided munitions and next-generation defence technologies, reinforcing the Centre's Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's industrial development agenda have received a major boost through this project," Scindia said.
He said the defence complex at Kolaras in Shivpuri district enjoys a strategic location near the Kota Corridor and the Mumbai-Gwalior National Highway, facilitating faster movement of defence equipment to military establishments across the country.
Scindia described the project as "a new dawn" for the Gwalior-Chambal region and said it would help establish the area as one of India's leading defence manufacturing hubs while enhancing the country's export potential in the defence sector.
Boost for regional economy
Besides the defence manufacturing ecosystem, Scindia placed four development proposals before the Chief Minister for Shivpuri. These included a ₹100-crore circular road project, a 108-foot statue of Lord Shiva, a super-speciality and cardiology wing at Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Medical College, and a new government college at Khod.
He said these projects would accelerate the district's overall development.
Scindia also said the latest investment, together with a jacket manufacturing unit at Badarwas and a nearly ₹2,000-crore cement grinding unit in Guna, reflected the rapid industrialisation of the Gwalior-Chambal region.
Recalling his family's historical association with defence manufacturing, Scindia said ordnance factories and armouries were established during the reign of Mahadji Scindia in several parts of northern India. He also referred to the Jiwaji Industrial Research Laboratory in Gwalior, which later evolved into the Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE).
He said the new facility marked another important milestone in strengthening India's indigenous defence production ecosystem.
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