Raksha Mantri Inaugurates State-of-the-Art DPSU Bhawan, Felicitates Four Miniratna DPSUs in New Delhi

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the state-of-the-art DPSU Bhawan at the World Trade Centre, Naoroji Nagar, New Delhi, and chaired a comprehensive review meeting of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).

During the event, four DPSUs — Munitions India Limited (MIL), Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), India Optel Limited (IOL), and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) — were felicitated on attaining Miniratna (Category-I) status. The Defence Minister commended the DPSUs for their vital role in advancing India’s defence manufacturing and self-reliance goals.

Highlighting the sector’s impressive growth, Rajnath Singh stated that India achieved defence production worth ₹1.51 lakh crore in 2024-25, with DPSUs contributing 71.6% of the total output. Defence exports touched ₹6,695 crore, reflecting rising global confidence in Made in India defence systems.

Emphasizing rapid indigenisation, quality enhancement, and technological innovation, the Minister directed DPSUs to develop measurable R&D and indigenisation roadmaps for the next review meeting.

Three key MoUs were exchanged among DPSUs to promote self-reliance and collaboration:

• HAL and BDL signed agreements with Yantra India Limited (YIL) for modernization and setting up a 10,000-ton Forging Press facility, with HAL extending an interest-free advance of ₹435 crore.

• The third MoU established a Metal Bank at MIDHANI to ensure uninterrupted raw material supply for strategic defence projects.

The Raksha Mantri also launched major R&D initiatives, including the HAL R&D Manual, and unveiled SWAYAM – Sustainable and Green Defence Manufacturing, a comprehensive compendium promoting renewable energy adoption and reduced carbon emissions across DPSUs.

He felicitated BEL and IOL for achieving 100% green energy usage, marking a major milestone in sustainable defence production. BEL became the first DPSU to achieve the RE100 target, while IOL’s transition to renewable energy saved 8,669 tonnes of CO₂ emissions in just one quarter.

The newly inaugurated DPSU Bhawan, conceptualised under the leadership of Rajnath Singh and Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth, is a modern facility aimed at fostering synergy and innovation among the 16 DPSUs under the motto “संगच्छध्वं संवदध्वं” (“Move together, dialogue together”).

Senior officials, including Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, and CMDs of all DPSUs, were present at the ceremony.