• “Hughes Precision is Making India Self-Reliant in World-Class Military Ammunition  says Avinash Rahi”

By Sangeeta Saxena

New Delhi. 01 May 2025. For a company which was incorporated in 2016 and got the licence in 2018, it has been an amazing journey for Hughes Precision. It’s a totally military grade ammunition that is manufactured for the military, for the paramilitary and for the law enforcement. Right now, it is just manufacturing all the NATO grade small calibre ammunition which is utilised by the Indian Army,  Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and other state police forces including CAPFs. So, most important as it is ammunition which is manufactured in Make in India under Make in India initiative. They started to manufacture and  supply to the defence forces and  are exporting around 26 countries including UK, US and Israel, Morocco, Malawi and different countries.

The evolution of India’s private sector defence manufacturing is best seen through companies like Hughes Precision, which has become a trailblazer in indigenous production of NATO-grade small calibre ammunition. At Milipol India 2025, ADU caught up with Avinash Rahi, General Manager (Marketing & Business Development), to understand how the company has not only made India self-reliant in critical defence components but has also emerged as a trusted exporter to over two dozen countries.

ADU. What is Hughes Precision showcasing at Milipol India this year?

Avinash Rahi. We’re showcasing our full range of NATO-grade small calibre military ammunition, which we manufacture indigenously. Hughes Precision was incorporated in 2016 and we received our licence in 2018. We were the first private company in India to get a licence to manufacture military-grade ammunition. Everything we produce is Made in India under the Make in India initiative and is supplied to the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, state police forces, and paramilitary units.

ADU. That’s impressive. Is all the ammunition developed and exported from India?

Avinash Rahi. Absolutely. Our manufacturing is based in Goa, and our corporate office is in Delhi. We are currently exporting to 26 countries including the USA, UK, Israel, Morocco, Malawi, and many others. This is all 100% from India.

ADU. That’s a milestone for a private Indian defence company. What about your Make in India content?

Avinash Rahi. We started at around 50%, and now we’ve achieved nearly 90% indigenisation. This includes even sniper and Dragunov ammunition—like 0.338 Lapua Magnum, 12.7mm, and 7.62x54R—which were earlier entirely imported. Now, we develop and supply these to Indian forces and export them globally.

ADU. You mentioned certifications from international bodies?

Avinash Rahi. Yes, we’ve received safety and quality certifications from the US Department of Defence, which further reinforces our credibility as a world-class manufacturer.

ADU. Apart from the armed forces, who else uses your ammunition in India?

Avinash Rahi. Several police forces like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha are using our ammunition. We’re also set to supply to Punjab Police. Earlier, users were completely dependent on government sources like Munitions India Ltd. (MIL).  Now they have quality options from the private sector—and at a better price.

ADU. Are you more cost-effective than MIL?

Avinash Rahi. Yes, our ammunition is cheaper than MIL’s, but we never compromise on quality. In defence, performance is everything. Once you fire, it’s either you or the enemy—there’s no room for error.

ADU. What’s next in your product pipeline?

Avinash Rahi. We’ve recently launched civilian calibre ammunition for individual shooters and sportspeople. This was also earlier imported, but now they can buy it in India at a fraction of the cost. For example, rounds that cost ₹1,500 earlier are now available at ₹100–₹200. Next, we are working on medium calibre ammunition—20mm, 30mm, and 40mm—which has a huge demand.

ADU. Are you working with the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) as well?

Avinash Rahi. Yes, we’ve already supplied to NSG and conducted trials with other CAPFs like BSF and ITBP. Their feedback has been very positive. The procurement processes are underway.

ADU. How has the response been at Milipol India?

Avinash Rahi. Excellent. Officers from CAPFs and state police visited our stall. Many were already familiar with our work but were happy to see the ammunition physically. We also invited them to our facility in Goa.

ADU. Anything else you would like to share?

Avinash Rahi. Just that we’re proud to be fulfilling PM Modi’s vision of Make in India, Make for the World. By manufacturing quality defence products domestically, we’re not only reducing imports but also becoming exporters to the world.

From breaking monopolies in ammunition supply to setting new standards in cost-effective, high-quality defence manufacturing, Hughes Precision exemplifies the private sector’s growing strength in India’s defence industrial base. With exports to 26 countries, near-total indigenisation, and new product lines in the pipeline, the company is carving a niche not just for itself—but for India’s defence sector on the global map.

As told to Sangeeta Saxena