India’s defence manufacturing sector is entering a transformative phase, with artillery shell manufacturing emerging as a critical pillar of self-reliance. While often overlooked, these components are indispensable to the nation’s ammunition strength, influencing both national security and industrial progress.
According to official figures, India’s defence production hit ₹1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023–24—its highest-ever output. This momentum continued in FY 2024–25, when output surged to ₹1,50,590 crore, setting yet another record. While public sector units (PSUs) accounted for the majority share, the private sector’s growing participation signals a deeper shift toward indigenous capability.
The Critical Role of Forged Artillery Shells
Artillery remains the backbone of conventional warfare. For perspective, Ukraine expends 4,000–7,000 shells daily, while Russia uses over 20,000. Each shell must withstand extreme pressures during firing and detonation. Forging—whether hot, cold, or isothermal—is essential to ensure internal integrity, dimensional accuracy, fatigue resistance, and overall reliability. A single defect can compromise both safety and performance.
India’s Modernization in Shell Production
Historically, India’s shell production relied heavily on manual forging and labor-intensive machining. Today, modernization is reshaping the process. Hydraulic presses, hot/die-forging systems, robotic handling, CNC machining, and digital inspection tools are being adopted, aligning India’s production standards with global defence benchmarks.
International Benchmarking & India’s Gaps
Global players are rapidly scaling capacity. The EU allocated €2 billion to procure 1 million shells for Ukraine in 2023. NATO has also signed a $1.2 billion contract for 220,000 rounds. Rheinmetall, a leading European manufacturer, aims to produce 1.1 million shells annually by 2027. By contrast, India must rapidly scale its own capabilities to meet both domestic requirements and rising export potential.
Policy Push & Export Opportunities
India’s defence sector is witnessing unprecedented growth, producing $14.8 billion worth of arms in FY 2023–24, a 62% increase since 2020. Notably, Indian-made 155mm shells have been deployed in Ukraine, underscoring their cost competitiveness at $300–400 per unit. This positions India as a credible player in the global defence supply chain, with clear opportunities for export expansion.
Technology, Sustainability & Human Capital
The future of shell manufacturing lies in precision, digitalization, and sustainability. Global peers are adopting AI-driven defect detection, energy-efficient presses, digital twins, and predictive analytics. India must integrate these Industry 4.0 tools while also investing in skilled human capital. Initiatives like Make in India, over 6,000 industrial licences issued by October 2022, and skilling programs under PMKVY are strengthening workforce readiness in forging, CNC, and digital manufacturing.
Roadmap to Strategic Advantage
To cement its place as both a strategic and economic powerhouse in artillery shell manufacturing, India must:
- Expand forging capacity for domestic and global markets.
- Adopt smart manufacturing and zero-defect practices.
- Foster public–private partnerships and defence production clusters.
- Build a skilled talent pool aligned with next-gen manufacturing.
By doing so, India can secure self-reliance in critical defence systems while positioning itself as a trusted global supplier in an increasingly competitive security landscape.