Lucknow, 17 July (HS): Uttar Pradesh is number one in the

country in manufacturing pistols and revolvers. Uttar Pradesh has received the

highest investment in the country for the production of pistols and revolvers.

After Kanpur, districts like Hardoi, Aligarh and Jhansi are also making their

mark. With the development of the Defence Industrial Corridor, Uttar Pradesh is

emerging as a major hub for the manufacturing of small arms. The state has

received investment proposals worth around Rs 29,000 crore in the defence

sector. Among these, many private companies manufacturing pistols, revolvers

and other small arms have either started production or are working on projects.

This fast development was fueled by the state's strategic

focus on the UP Defence Industrial Corridor and the Centre's 'Make in India'

push, which transformed the region from a hotspot for illicit country-made

weaponry to a prominent center for legal, high-tech firearm manufacture. The

state's ascent to prominence as a small weapons production powerhouse,

concentrated on important hubs and significant facilities.

Kanpur is known as a historical hub, and it is home to the state-owned Advanced

Weapons and Equipment India. It is most notable for producing the

Prabal, India's first long-range revolver with a side-swing

cylinder, as well as the classic lightweight Nirbheek revolver.

Hardoi (Sandila) is the home of Webley & Scott, a historic British guns

manufacturing. They created their first production facility in India in

collaboration with Lucknow-based Sial Manufacturers, where they built models

like as the classic.32 revolver.

While small arms manufacturing was previously limited

primarily to government-owned units in Kanpur, districts like Hardoi, Aligarh,

and Jhansi are now rapidly gaining recognition in this field. This has led to

the development of Uttar Pradesh's largest small arms cluster, comprised of

both the government and private sectors, while Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and

West Bengal primarily have government-owned arms manufacturing units.

Hardoi (Sandila) is home to the historic British guns

manufacturer Webley & Scott. They created their first manufacturing

facility in India in collaboration with Lucknow-based Sial Manufacturers,

producing models like as the classic.32 revolver.

Aligarh is part of the UP Defence Industrial Corridor, and it is home to

Werywin Defence, which has established a cutting-edge facility to manufacture

handguns, revolvers, and ammunition utilizing technology from the American

corporation Smith & Wesson.

UP becomes the largest emerging hub: Uttar Pradesh has now

become the largest emerging center for the manufacture of small arms, including

pistols, revolvers, and carbines. Based on government investment, established

units, and ongoing production, Uttar Pradesh is leading the field. Previously,

revolvers were manufactured only at the Small Arms Factory and Field Gun

Factory in Kanpur, which were renowned for their popularity.

With the changing times, technological advancements and

industrial development plans have transformed the landscape of this sector. It

all began with Webley & Scott, the world's number one revolver-pistol

manufacturer, when it, in collaboration with Sayal & Company, established

its first factory outside England, directly in Uttar Pradesh.

Webley has become Made in India in Uttar Pradesh, and with

this, several companies manufacturing revolvers and pistols have established

their presence here. Currently, Uttar Pradesh has the highest investment in the

production of both weapons across the country.

The Small Arms Factory in Kanpur and Advanced Weapons and

Equipment India Limited already manufacture pistols and other small arms for

the army and security forces. Uttar Pradesh has a total of seven ordnance

factories, four HAL units, and two small arms/field gun factories, giving the

state a strong industrial base. Aligarh and Jhansi are particularly developing

as small arms clusters, while Kanpur is a major center for government

production.

Major Small Arms Units in UP

Webley & Scott India (Hardoi) – Manufacture of .32 bore

revolvers and pistols.

Veriwin Defence Pvt Ltd (Aligarh) – Investment of Rs 65

crore, production of small arms kicks off

Shan Arms Industries (Jhansi) – Investment around Rs 100

crore

Sekington Industries (Jhansi) – Investment around Rs 120

crore

Delta Combat Systems (Jhansi) – Investment around Rs 150

crore, small arms and cartridge manufacturing

Focus of defense production in other states

Tamil Nadu: Aerospace, missiles and advanced defence systems

under the Defence Industrial Corridor

Madhya Pradesh – Jabalpur Ordnance Factory, Government

weapons manufacturing

West Bengal – Ishapore Rifle Factory

Telangana – Private defence industry but mainly missiles,

drones and aerospace

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi