Robots capable of guarding India’s borders in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius will be manufactured at an upcoming robotics and UAV facility in Nagpur, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday.
The facility, being developed by Solar Defence & Aerospace, will come up on 223 acres at the MIHAN Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Nagpur. It will focus on the manufacturing of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones and unmanned robotic systems.
Speaking after performing the bhoomipujan ceremony for the Robotics and UAV facility, Fadnavis said such technologies would play a crucial role in future warfare and border security.
Referring to the increasing use of robotics in defence operations worldwide, he cited videos circulating on social media showing Chinese robots patrolling border areas instead of soldiers.
“Many of us saw social media videos around three to four months ago showing how Chinese robots were patrolling borders in place of soldiers. Similar robots capable of guarding Indian borders in minus 40 degrees will be manufactured at this facility,” he said.
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The chief minister emphasised that modern warfare is increasingly dependent on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones and robotic systems, and said the new manufacturing hub would strengthen India’s defence technology capabilities.
Fadnavis also highlighted the rapid pace of technological change globally, noting that advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and semiconductor ecosystems are transforming the manufacturing and technology sectors.
“The world is changing rapidly. AI, quantum computing and semiconductors are reshaping the manufacturing sector. It is believed that a major disruption in global manufacturing is approaching very quickly,” he said.
According to Fadnavis, the nature of manufacturing could change significantly in the next 1,000 days as these technologies become more integrated into industrial production.
He said India must strengthen its presence in deep-tech sectors, including robotics, AI-driven systems and advanced defence technologies.
“The Solar Group Robotics and UAV facility is moving in that direction and will help build India’s strength in deep-tech manufacturing,” he added.
Founder and chairman of Solar Group, Satyanarayan Nuwal, said the facility is expected to become operational within a year, with the first robot prototype likely to be developed in the following year.
Once operational, the plant is expected to contribute significantly to India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and boost technological capabilities in unmanned systems.
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