Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called for innovations in the field of ammunition for the creation of a strong and self-reliant base that keeps the Armed Forces fully prepared to deal with future challenges.

Addressing inaugural session of second conference on Military Ammunition (Ammo India) on the theme ‘Make in India Opportunities and Challenges’ here, he described advanced ammunition as reality of new age warfare, which is a must for India, given its regional and global imperatives and security challenges.  Rajnath asserted that Government understands crucial role private sector can play in strengthening defence sector and to enhance their participation in the field of ammunition, many barriers, which were earlier prevalent, have been removed. He exhorted the public and private sectors, research and development establishments, start-ups, academia and individual innovators to explore newer avenues which can create a base that caters to needs of Armed Forces, ensuring their enhanced preparedness.

The Defence Minister also emphasised the importance of precision guided ammunition, saying that it will play a major role in future warfare. “The employment of precision guided ammunition at ‘Muntho Dhalo’ base played an important role in India’s victory in 1999 Kargil war. Precision strike of ammunition during 2019 strikes on terror camps in Balakot also ensured our success in operation.

Ammunition in modern battlefields is emerging in its new avatar, which once programmed can automatically take inputs, make course corrections and target the appropriate location at the right time. Earlier, only the size and explosive capacity of bombs mattered, but now their smartness is equally important,” he said.

Rajnath appreciated the fact that six of the seven new defence companies, which were carved out of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board, have reported profit within six months of their inception. Munitions India Limited has received export orders worth Rs 500 crore, he said, terming the achievement as an indicator to the huge potential of the ammunition industry in the country.

The Defence Minister inaugurated an exhibition showcasing products developed by the Indian Navy, Defence Public Sector Undertakings and the private sector and released a ‘Knowledge Paper’.