At its greenfield manufacturing facility in Belgaum (also called Belagavi), Karnataka, Mumbai-based Balu Forge Industries has installed a state-of-the-art artillery shell production line.
Being the first completely automated and indigenous empty shell production line in India, this development represents a significant milestone.
The facility, which supports the government’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, represents a significant advancement in the nation’s goal of being self-sufficient in defense manufacture.
The production line is designed to produce ammunition shells of enormous calibers, such as 155mm, 120mm, 105mm, and 81mm projectiles. With an annual production capacity of 3,60,000 shells, it is intended to address the increasing demand for vital defense components both domestically and internationally.
This line’s design and implementation were entirely done in-house, demonstrating India’s superior engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
The facility’s activities are supported by advanced automation, which uses FANUC Robotics to reach nearly 100% automation.
This leads to a quick cycle time of 55 seconds per shell in an unmanned, extremely effective production process.
This manufacturing facility is among the most advanced in the defense industry worldwide thanks to the use of sophisticated robotic automation, which guarantees excellent output quality, precision, and consistency.
This entirely domestic production line was designed, developed, and commercialized with the help of more than eighteen machinery manufacturers. In addition to strengthening India’s industrial foundation, such broad cooperation among Indian businesses speeds up the nation’s transition to technical self-sufficiency.
This strategy lessens reliance on technology transfers and imports from other countries, which is essential for strategic autonomy in defense operations.
The Belgaum facility of Balu Forge is a long-term strategic investment meant to broaden the company’s offering in precision engineering. The business intends to gradually install a number of other high-precision production lines at this location, boosting the area’s reputation as a growing center for defense manufacturing. This development is in line with larger initiatives to strengthen India’s industrial ecosystem’s capacity to produce specialized defense.
India’s defense capabilities have significantly improved with the opening of this production line, especially in the crucial field of large caliber ammunition systems.
The nation obtains more control over ammunition manufacturing and lessens supply chain vulnerabilities by producing empty shells domestically. This capability boosts export possibilities to friendly countries and guarantees more consistent ammunition supplies for the Indian armed forces.
The Belgaum site itself benefits from a greenfield configuration, which makes it possible to build a cutting-edge production environment suited to the demands of the contemporary defense sector. Such infrastructure upholds stringent quality and safety standards while fostering technological innovation and operational effectiveness.
The establishment of this completely automated, locally constructed artillery shell production line by Balu Forge marks a significant change in India’s defense industry. In order to achieve strategic self-reliance, it shows how sophisticated robotics, precision engineering, and cooperative manufacturing can be successfully integrated.
Given the present government’s emphasis on creating a self-sufficient and globally competitive defense manufacturing industry, this is a commendable accomplishment.
