Raksha Mantri Inaugurates DPSU Bhawan, Felicitates Four Miniratna Defence PSUs in New Delhi

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the state-of-the-art DPSU Bhawan at the World Trade Centre, Naoroji Nagar, and chaired a comprehensive review meeting of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) in New Delhi on Monday. The event marked a milestone in India’s push towards Aatmanirbharta in defence manufacturing and innovation.

During the meeting, Shri Rajnath Singh felicitated four DPSUs — Munitions India Limited (MIL), Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), India Optel Limited (IOL), and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) — on achieving Miniratna (Category-I) status. He commended their growing efficiency, autonomy, and contribution to India’s defence ecosystem.

“All our 16 DPSUs are strong pillars of self-reliance. Their excellent performance and contribution reaffirm the reliability of indigenous platforms,” he said, adding that India achieved defence production worth ₹1.51 lakh crore in 2024–25, with DPSUs contributing 71.6%. Defence exports reached ₹6,695 crore, underscoring global trust in Indian defence systems.

The Raksha Mantri urged DPSUs to accelerate indigenisation, enhance R&D, and expand exports. He directed each undertaking to present clear, measurable R&D and innovation roadmaps at the next review.

Three major MoUs were exchanged among DPSUs during the event — between HAL, BDL, and Yantra India Limited (YIL) — to support the creation of a 10,000-ton Forging Press facility and strengthen India’s capability in aluminium alloy production. A third MoU with MIDHANI will establish a Metal Bank to ensure uninterrupted raw material supply for key defence projects.

Shri Rajnath Singh also launched the HAL R&D Manual and the R&D Roadmap of DPSUs, marking a decisive shift from licensed production to indigenous design and development. In a major step towards sustainability, he unveiled SWAYAM – Sustainable and Green Defence Manufacturing, a compendium under the Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Action Plan (CEEAP) 2023, highlighting renewable energy adoption, carbon reduction, and digital energy management tools such as the SWARNA Dashboard and DPSU Energy Efficiency Index.

He further felicitated BEL and IOL for achieving 100% green energy usage — with BEL reaching the RE100 milestone in January 2025 and IOL switching completely to renewable energy in September 2025, collectively reducing over 23,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

The newly inaugurated DPSU Bhawan— conceptualised under the leadership of Shri Rajnath Singh and Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth — provides a collaborative platform for all 16 DPSUs under the motto “संगच्छध्वं संवदध्वं” (“Move together, dialogue together”). The facility features modern conference halls, simulation centres, and an exhibition zone to showcase India’s defence manufacturing excellence.

Senior defence officials, CMDs of DPSUs, and representatives from the Ministry of Defence attended the event.