Defence Ordnance Factories' Exports Surge 81 Times Post-Corporatisation: Rajnath Defence minister Rajnath Singh highlighted a dramatic increase in exports from ordnance factories following their corporatisation, stating that the sector's output has grown 81 times since 2019-20. During a visit to the Yantra India Limited (YIL) facility in Nagpur, Singh noted that exports rose from Rs81 crore in 2019-20 to Rs4,500 crore as of 2025-26. The corporatisation of 41 ordnance factories into seven defence public sector undertakings (PSUs) in 2021 has also led to a more than doubling of production, with total output reaching Rs26,000 crore in 2025-26 compared to Rs12,700 crore before the reform. Singh emphasized that the corporatisation was a strategic move to enhance autonomy and performance, with results now evident. The transformation has enabled the PSUs to explore overseas markets, with YIL alone achieving Rs397 crore in exports. The minister also pointed to broader growth in the defence sector, noting that total defence production value rose from Rs36,000 crore in 2014 to Rs1.78 lakh crore as of 2025-26. Exports, which were Rs1,000 crore in 2014, have surged 40 times to Rs40,000 crore. The reforms have also driven efforts toward self-reliance. A new 10,000-tonne extrusion plant at Ordnance Factory Ambajhari (OFAJ), a flagship unit of YIL, is set to supply high-grade aluminium to critical sectors. This material, previously imported, will now support manufacturing by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Mazgaon Docks Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited, and even the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The plant, with an investment of Rs850 crore, aims to indigenise key components for fighter planes and other defence projects.#nagpur #rajnath_singh #yantra_india_limited #maharashtra_chief_minister #defence_public_sector_undertakings
