Munitions India Limited, India’s leading ammunition manufacturer, is participating in the World Defense Show to showcase its products and capabilities to the world’s leading OEM’s and buyers. MIL views Saudi Arabia as a strategic market for long term business cooperation. MIL already has some contracts in place for supply of ammunition to Saudi Arabia and World Defense Show 2024 provides an opportunity to strengthen business ties. “MIL has already supplied ammunition to the Middle East region in past. We are aiming to maximise our share in the international market. In addition to supplies to friendly foreign countries, we are also looking forward to setting up manufacturing facilities of ammunition there,” said Ravi Kant, Chairman and Managing Director, Munitions India Limited. In an interview with AEROMAG, he talks about the company’s latest operations and plans.
Ravi Kant
CMD
Munitions India Limited
CMD
Munitions India Limited
1)Being an ammunition manufacturing company, how do you look at the present international market?
The current geo-political situation presents immense opportunity for all the ammunition manufacturers. There is expected to be a sustained peak demand of the ammunition in the international market in the coming years. We are aiming to maximise our share in the international market. In addition to supplies to friendly foreign countries, we are also looking forward to set up manufacturing facilities of ammunition there.
2) What are the latest developments by MIL in the small arms sector?
MIL has been producing small caliber ammunition for almost all variants for both civil and military domestic market. The small caliber ammunition of MIL especially variants of 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm have recently generated lot of demand in the export market. MIL facilities are fully geared up to meet the likely requirements of ammunitions for AK-203 rifles which Indian Army has inducted recently. MIL has recently developed 9 mm Subsonic amn, 12.7 API amn. .338 LAPUA MAGNUM amn, & 7.62X54 PKT ammunition. MIL has also developed variants of 40 mm Grenades which are fired from an attachment fixed on small arms. MIL is also modernizing and augmenting its facilities engaged in production of small caliber ammunition.
3) Could you share the latest updates of PINAKA rockets and mortar bombs?
The variants of PINAKA i.e. Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) Rockets and Extended Range up to 45 kilometers have been successfully developed post corporatization. Pinaka Guided ammunition with range up to 75 Km is at advanced stage of approval. The variant of PINAKA extended range up to 60 kilometers is under development.
MIL has been manufacturing mortar ammunition for caliber-51 mm, 81 mm and 120 mm. MIL has also undertaken development of guided mortars in collaboration with academia and industry. 81 mm Mortar Guided bomb being developed by MIL will have CEP of 10 meters.
4) How does MIL cater to the needs of the Air Force and Navy?
MIL has been supplying aerial bombs which can be dropped from various aircrafts and life saving power cartridges etc. to the IAF. Indian Navy is also our vital customer and our major products for them are Ammunition for 76/62 SRGM, various decoys, signal flares, etc.
5) Where does MIL’s export business stand? Could you elaborate on the export operations?
MIL is targeting a sale of about 20 % through exports in the current financial year. MIL strives to increase it further in the coming years as MIL has a healthy export order book. MIL has made a Country-Product matrix to have focused approach on expansion of Geography and expansion of Exportable Product base. MIL is discussing with major OEMs for becoming part of International Supply Chain of Ammunition Components, Explosives and Sub-assemblies. MIL has appointed multiple Channel partners across the globe for marketing of MIL product and services.
6) What are the immediate goals ahead for MIL? What are the expansion plans?
MIL is a market leader in domestic ammunition market. Our goal is to maintain our leadership position in the domestic market and also emerge as a major player in global supply chain of ammunition and explosives. The focus has also been on the modernization so as to continue to maintain state of the art facilities for ammunition production. This is a continuous process and we are getting full support and encouragement from Indian government in this regard. Co-Development and Co-Production of next generation ammunition through Collaboration is also being planned.
7) What are the highlights of MIL’s participation in the World Defense Show 2024? How do you look at the Middle East Region for expansion of MIL’s Business?
MIL‘s participation in World Defense Show provides an opportunity to showcase its product and capabilities to the world’s leading OEM’s and buyers and also to have discussion to negotiate and rediscuss existing contracts with various Buyers. MIL views Saudi Arabia as a strategic market for long term business cooperation. MIL already has some contracts in placle for supply of ammunition to Saudi Arabia and World Defense Show 2024 provides an opportunity to strengthen business ties.
MIL has already supplied ammunition to the Middle East region in the past and many defence queries from this region are under discussion for supply of ammunition and long-term business cooperation.
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