Bharat Forge's subsidiary, Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), is on the verge of opening a major new manufacturing plant in Jejuri, near Pune, significantly bolstering India's defense production capabilities.
This facility is designed to produce a substantial volume of military equipment, including up to 300 artillery guns and more than 1,000 military vehicles each year. This positions KSSL as a major player in the international defense industry and strongly supports India's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) initiative.
The Jejuri facility, located approximately 40 kilometers from Pune, is strategically positioned to become the center of KSSL's defense manufacturing operations.
By consolidating its various defense projects in one location, KSSL aims to efficiently meet both Indian and international demands for modern artillery systems and military vehicles.
The plant's projected annual output of 250-300 artillery guns is so significant that it will be the second-largest artillery production facility globally, by volume, exceeded only by China's NORINCO.
Beyond artillery, the plant's flexibility allows it to produce over 1,000 military vehicles annually. This includes a variety of vehicles, from protected mobility options like KSSL's own Light Strike Vehicle (LSV) to specialized vehicles designed for challenging environments, such as high-altitude areas and regions affected by Naxalite activity.
This diverse production capability demonstrates KSSL's focus on meeting the changing needs of armed forces, both within India and internationally.
The facility boasts advanced manufacturing technologies, including Vertical Machining Centers (VMCs) with Computer Numerical Control (CNC), and the capacity to produce specialized alloys. This ensures high precision and the ability to increase production.
KSSL has stated that the plant's "manufacturing ecosystem" is designed to be flexible, allowing it to surpass its stated production capacity of 250-300 guns and over 1,000 vehicles if necessary, a likely prospect considering the current global demand for artillery due to ongoing conflicts and military upgrades.
The Jejuri plant is directly aligned with India's larger defense production objectives. The Indian Ministry of Defence reports that defense production in India reached ₹747.39 billion (approximately $9 billion USD) in the fiscal year 2024. Furthermore, defence exports saw dramatic increase, reaching ₹210.83 billion (about $2.5 billion USD), a 32.5% increase from the previous year.
The Ministry aims to significantly increase production and exports by fiscal year 2029, and KSSL's new facility is expected to be a critical contributor to reaching these ambitious goals. KSSL's current order book, which is full for the next three years due to both domestic and international contracts (including a $155.5 million export deal), puts the company in a strong position to benefit from this growth.
The impact of KSSL's Jejuri plant extends beyond India's borders. A landmark agreement with US-based AM General, announced at IDEX 2025, represents the first instance of Indian-made artillery cannons being supplied to the United States.
This deal, combined with existing export contracts to countries in the Middle East (such as the 2022 contract for 155mm guns valued at $155 million), highlights KSSL's growing international reputation as a trusted provider of advanced military technology. This showcases a shift in global defence dynamics, with India emerging as a significant exporter.
