- Defense Corridor to be built in Maharashtra, process in final stages – Devendra Fadnavis
Mumbai, May 23, 2026. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the biggest difference in future wars will depend not on the number of troops a country has, but on its capability and advanced ammunition. We saw this in the Russia-Ukraine war. This is also happening in the ongoing war in West Asia. India demonstrated this strength during Operation Sindoor.
Rajnath Singh was speaking today after inaugurating the Nibe Group’s landmark Defence Manufacturing Complex and Artillery Shell Production Project at Shirdi, the shrine of Sai Baba, to further accelerate the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and indigenous defence manufacturing. Present at the two-day event were the Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant, Water Resources Minister Dr. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, several senior military officials, and Ganesh Ramesh Nibe, Chairman and Managing Director of Nibe Group.
The Defence Minister said that India, once considered the largest arms importer, will become the largest exporter in the next 20-25 years, a journey that no one can stop. Today, a golden chapter is being written in the field of defence and self-reliance. This is a historic occasion. Today, from land to sky and space, from artillery shells to satellites, is a big day for the defence sector. Our private industry understands future warfare. The private sector will have to enhance India’s capabilities in future wars.
At the ceremony, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that India, through its strategic power, is poised to play a role that will ensure world peace. India has never attacked anyone on its own, but has driven out all invaders from India. Today, self-reliance resonates in this country, in the same Maharashtra of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
PM Narendra Modi gave the message of Make in India and Self-reliant India, and the defense sector has embraced it, becoming a large-scale exporter of defense products. Citing an example of self-reliance, he mentioned Operation Sindoor, saying that the world was astonished by the work done by our army at that time, witnessing how India carried out precision strikes and brought Pakistan to its knees. The neighboring country acquired drones with the help of some friendly countries, but none of them were able to drop any missiles or drones on our soil.
Fadnavis announced that a defense corridor is being built in Nashik, Pune, Nagpur, and Ahilyanagar. The process is in its final stages. Maharashtra, already number one in defense manufacturing, will now advance even further.
Emphasizing the importance of self-reliance in defense manufacturing, Ganesh Ramesh Nibe, Chairman and Managing Director, Nibe Group, said, “Today is a proud and historic moment not only for the Nibe Group, but also for India’s journey towards becoming a strong and self-reliant nation in defense manufacturing. The overwhelming participation and encouragement received on the first day of this historic event reflects the growing confidence in India’s indigenous capabilities, technological prowess, and manufacturing excellence. We firmly believe that India’s future growth as a global power will be significantly driven by advancements in defense technology, innovation, and self-reliant manufacturing. Through this facility, the Nibe Group aims to make a significant contribution to strengthening national security, creating employment opportunities, and inspiring the next generation of Indian innovators and engineers.”
