Nagpur, 19 June (HS): Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister,

emphasized the significance of indigenization in Nagpur. He performed the

'Bhoomi Pujan' for a modern 10,000-ton Aluminium Extrusion Press at the Yantra

India Limited (YIL) facility, hailing it as a symbol of India's

transformational mindset towards self-reliance. Defence Minister

Rajnath Singh conducted the 'Bhoomi Pujan' for a cutting-edge 10,000-ton

Aluminium Extrusion Press at the Yantra India Limited (YIL) plant in Nagpur on

Friday, describing it as a sign of India's transformational mindset

toward self-reliance. Addressing the audience, the Defence Minister emphasized

that the project demonstrates India's transition from import to indigenous

manufacturing of essential infrastructure.

This symbolizes our transformative mentality. Needs that

formerly required a country to seek abroad are now progressively being met by

its own population. I believe this is vital because we can all see the

condition in the globe today, Singh stated. The Defence Minister emphasised the

strategic relevance of indigenisation, citing the fragility of global logistics

during international crises. When conflict breaks out, the whole supply chain

is compromised. So, in such a period, every country wants all security-related

demands to stay in its own hands and to be produced by its own people, he

continued. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the strong expansion

of India's defence sector, stating that the country's domestic defense

production and exports had increased dramatically since 2014.

Our domestic defense production totaled only Rs 46,000

crore. But today, I am pleased and proud to inform you that the data for

India's fiscal year 2025-26 has now risen to a record high of more than Rs

1,78,000 crore. In 2014, India's defense exports totaled approximately Rs 1,000

crore. Today, you will be pleased to learn that we are currently exporting

weapons worth approximately Rs 40,000 crore, manufactured on Indian soil by

skilled workers,' he stated. The event is attended by the Chief Minister of

Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar

and other top officials of the Department of Defence Production as well as YIL.

Asserting India's expanding global status and strategic

might, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday

that the world today acknowledges India as a superpower that cannot be

underestimated, emphasizing the country's path to total self-reliance. Speaking

at the 'Bhoomi Pujan' ceremony for the 10,000-ton Aluminium Extrusion Press at

the Yantra India Limited (YIL) plant in Nagpur, Fadnavis cited recent strategic

accomplishments as evidence of India's progress. When Operation Sindoor

concluded, the entire world witnessed India's growth and strategic capacity.

The entire world now believes that India is a country that cannot be

played with, Fadnavis stated. In dramatic contrast to the past, the CM

stated that the present administration had revolutionized the country's

security stance.

This is not Old India; it is New India. This India is at

full strength, with Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), he added. The projected

extrusion press will be a significant national asset for the defense

manufacturing industry. According to the statement, it will boost the nation's

capacity to create big, high-strength, and precise aluminum alloy extrusions to

meet the needs of the defense and aerospace industries. The initiative would

assist minimize reliance on imports of crucial aluminium extruded components

while also supporting local production under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat goal.

“Another Solid Step Towards 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' in the

Defense Production Sector!

Union Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Devendra

Fadnavis today performed the groundbreaking and foundation stone unveiling for

the '10,000 Ton Extrusion Press' at the Yantra India Limited unit, Ordnance

Factory, Ambazari, Nagpur. Chief Minister Fadnavis said that this project will

accelerate the development of Nagpur and Vidarbha as a crucial hub for the

country's defense production ecosystem. This project marks an important

milestone in strengthening India's self-reliance in the defense sector, and

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Viksit

Bharat' is now visibly coming to life. Chief Minister Fadnavis stated, during

the era of 'Operation Sindoor,' the world witnessed India's strategic

capabilities, the strength of indigenous technology, and its readiness.

Following that, the world came to know a new India—one that has faith in its

own abilities and boldly confronts any challenge. Today, the nation is carving

out its independent place on the global stage in the defense sector. In the production

of defense equipment, aerospace, fighter jets, drones, unmanned vehicles, and

various other advanced infrastructure projects, such extrusion presses play a

vital role in manufacturing high-quality aluminum components. Through this

project, the country's defense production capacity will reach new heights, and

indigenous manufacturing will receive further impetus, said Chief Minister

Fadnavis.

On this occasion, Yantra India Limited's Chairman and

Managing Director Vijaykumar Iyer and other dignitaries were present,” reads a

post by CMO Maharashtra. “Historic Initiative Towards Self-Reliance! Today, in

Nagpur, along with Hon'ble Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh Ji, the

foundation stone laying of the '10,000 Ton Extrusion Press' and the unveiling

of Konshila were done at the Ordnance Factory unit of Yantra India Limited in

Ambazari. Through the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, Yantra India

Limited has initiated this important project in Nagpur. The aluminium extrusion

press holds special importance in the defence production sector. Through this, India's

self-reliance will gain even greater strength not only in defence products but

also in infrastructure sectors. This extrusion press will play a crucial role

in the production of high-quality aluminium components essential for defence

production, aerospace, fighter jets, drones, and other advanced projects. This

project will give a new momentum to the country's defence manufacturing

capability and further strengthen indigenous production. Hon'ble Prime Minister

Shri Narendra Modi Ji has taken the resolve for a self-reliant and developed

India. In fulfilling this resolve, India is touching new heights in the defence

sector. 'Operation Sindoor' has given such an introduction to the country's

strategic capability and military power, which the entire world has seen and

appreciated. Today, India's capabilities are receiving recognition at the

global level. Our government companies are playing an important role in the

development of new technologies and the strengthening of modern production

systems. This confidence, capability, and innovation is the identity of the new

self-reliant India. On this occasion, Shri Vijayakumar Iyer, Chairman and

Managing Director of Yantra India Limited, and other dignitaries were present,”

opines another post by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on X,

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi