Global Defence Exports: MIL’s Key Focus

Munitions India Limited (MIL), India’s largest ammunition manufacturer, excels in producing, testing, researching, and marketing a wide range of ammunition and explosives for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces. With 12 advanced manufacturing units and a workforce of around 23,000, MIL has a legacy of over 150 years in producing small, medium, and high-calibre ammunition, mortars, rockets, and hand grenades, along with initiatory compositions, propellants, and high explosives. The company is a major contributor to India’s position as one of the top 25 global defence exporters, having exported ammunition and explosives worth INR 1,726 crores for FY 2023-24. “MIL has made a Country-Product matrix to have a focused approach on the expansion of Geography and expansion of the Exportable Product base. MIL has appointed multiple channel partners across the globe for marketing of MIL product and services.” says Debashish Banerjee, Chairman & Managing Director (Additional Charge) & Director, HR, Munitions India Limited. In a recent interview with Aeromag, Banerjee discussed the company’s operations, R&D activities, achievements, and ongoing initiatives. Indian defence exports have experienced significant growth over the past decade, with DPSUs playing a major role. How does MIL assess its position in the export market amidst this expansion? What specific contribution has MIL made to this achievement? Export is the thrust area of MIL. MIL has made a Country-Product matrix to have a focussed approach on the expansion of Geography and expansion of the Exportable Product base. MIL has appointed multiple Channel partners across the globe for marketing of MIL product and services. MIL is discussing with major OEMs to become part of the International Supply Chain of Ammunition Components, Explosives and Sub-assemblies. The results have been highly encouraging. We received Raksha Mantri’s Award for Excellence Raksha Niryat Ratan during the DEFEXPO 2022(Runners up Award) for achievements in export in the first six months of operation Under Category - Large Scale Enterprises. In the last financial year, our export sales contributed to about 25 % of our turnover. In the current year also, we are anticipating a 25 % increase in our export sales as compared to the previous year. As the country’s biggest manufacturer and market leader in the production, testing, R&D and marketing of ammunition and explosives, how does MIL see its role in advancing India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives? R&D has been identified as a focus area by MIL. We are planning to spend more than Rs. 300 Crores on R&D during the next three years. Every production unit has got a dedicated R&D Centre. MIL innovation scheme has also been launched to motivate employees to address technological challenges for the development of various products/processes. MIL has collaborated with IIT Madras wherein an M.Tech course in Ammunition Technology is being conducted exclusively for MIL technical experts. Could you elaborate on MIL’s current collaboration with the private sector and its achievements & future plans under the Make in India initiative? Under the Make in India initiative, MIL has been collaborating with the Indian Industry and have signed MoUs with various Industry partners for the development of new products. MIL has developed products like Fuze PDM 557, Drone Delivered Ammunition along with the private sector. MIL has also been providing product support to emerging private players in the Indian ammunition Industry. MIL is also collaborating with Academia for the development of indigenous products. MIL is committed to the development of a strong and sustainable defence ecosystem in India.