• Legacy Under Armour: Dr. S. C. Kansal and Ashish Kansal Reflect on Family, Ethical Practices and Defence Innovation
  • Built on Trust, Driven by Technology: An Inheritance of Responsibility
  • Two Generations, One Purpose: Business With Reputation

 By Sangeeta Saxena

 Parc Des Expositions, Paris/ New Delhi. 21 June 2026.  Building a business is difficult but building a legacy is even harder. In family businesses, success is often measured by growth, market share and profitability. Yet the true strength of an enterprise lies in something far more enduring—the values that survive the transition from one generation to the next. A business can be inherited, but trust must be earned. A company can be handed over, but a legacy must be carried forward with responsibility, conviction and purpose.

The story of SMPP is one such journey. What began as the vision of Chairman & Managing Director Dr. S. C. Kansal, who transformed a modest enterprise into one of India’s leading defence manufacturing companies through innovation, integrity and a commitment to national self-reliance, is today being taken forward by Ashish Kansal, Chief Executive Officer, who is steering the company into new frontiers of defence technology, autonomous systems and advanced protection solutions.

On the occasion of Father’s Day, Aviation & Defence Universe brings together a father and son whose relationship extends beyond family ties into a shared mission of nation-building. This special interaction is not merely about succession in a family business. It is about the transfer of values, the weight of responsibility that comes with a respected name, and the challenge of preserving a hard-earned reputation while creating a new identity for the future. And it happened at Paris during Eurosatory 2026.

 ADU. Dr. Kansal, SMPP is today one of India’s most respected defence companies. Take us back to the beginning. How did the journey start, and how did you ensure that values became as important as business success?

Dr. S. C. Kansal. When I started the business in 1985, I had already spent 10 to 12 years working in different capacities across various companies in India. I came from a modest business family, but I had a dream of creating something of my own. My specialization and passion lay in explosives, and that was the field I wanted to pursue.

I began with a small-scale unit in Sangrur, a small district in Punjab. Through hard work and innovation, we developed our own machinery for manufacturing products. Eventually, the machinery itself became a business opportunity, and we started supplying equipment as well. The earnings from those early successes helped us expand further.

A major turning point came when senior officers from DRDO encouraged me after reading my PhD research from IIT Bombay. They challenged me to develop a product that India was importing at the time. I accepted the challenge and successfully delivered the product within six months. The Ministry of Defence subsequently placed bulk orders, and I was honoured with a National Award from the Government of India.

What followed was a journey of supporting India’s defence indigenisation efforts. But throughout this journey, I always believed that success should never come at the cost of values. Integrity, commitment and service to the nation had to remain at the heart of the business.

 ADU. Ashish, when your father built SMPP, he was not only building a company but also creating a value system. As the next generation, what has it meant to inherit those values?

 Ashish Kansal. I think my father built SMPP on a very strong foundation of values. When I joined the company, there was always a choice. One could follow the easier route, or one could follow the values and principles on which the company had been built, even if that path was more challenging. Looking back today, I can confidently say that choosing the tougher route was the right decision. The biggest asset we have today is not merely our products or technologies—it is our reputation. Every international company that wants to work with SMPP sees decades of credibility, trust and consistency. They see a company that has stayed true to its principles over two and three decades.

The brand value of SMPP has been created by the value system it has followed. Today, we are reaping the benefits of those values. My father instilled them in us, and our responsibility has been to preserve them and carry them forward.

 ADU. Dr. Kansal, when Ashish joined the company, what did you see in him that convinced you hewould take the organisation forward?

 Dr. S. C. Kansal. Ashish joined the company with strong academic credentials from IIT Delhi and higher studies in the United States. More importantly, he brought his own vision and technological perspective. He had a dream of contributing to the country and strengthening India’s defence capabilities.

He chose to build on the foundation we had created and expanded the company into areas such as soldier protection, bulletproof solutions and several new technologies. What pleased me most was that he did not simply join the business—he embraced the values behind it. That is what gives continuity to any family enterprise.

 ADU. Ashish, Father’s Day is also about passing something meaningful to the next generation. As you look towards the future, what legacy would you like to leave behind?

 Ashish Kansal. The third generation will ultimately make its own choices, just as every generation does. Our responsibility is to prepare the right foundation and create opportunities for them.

What we are focused on today is expanding SMPP into a comprehensive defence technology company. We want to continue contributing to India’s security while developing products for both domestic and international markets. We do not want to be known for one specific capability alone. We want to become a holistic technology partner for defence.

If the next generation chooses to join the journey, I hope they inherit not only a successful organisation but also the values, purpose and sense of national responsibility that have defined SMPP from the very beginning.

 ADU. SMPP has already expanded far beyond soldier protection. What does the future roadmap look like?

 Ashish Kansal. In the short term, we are focused on addressing the immediate operational requirements of the armed forces. This includes autonomous systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned ground systems, advanced weapon integration, loitering munitions, counter-drone technologies and counter-autonomous systems. Our objective is to contribute towards building a robust security shield for the nation’s borders.

In the long term, we see SMPP evolving into a cutting-edge technology enterprise. Areas such as artificial intelligence, electronics, advanced explosives and integrated defence systems will define our growth. The goal is to combine these technologies into a complete ecosystem of solutions that strengthens national security and enhances India’s position as a defence technology leader.

 ADU. Dr. Kansal, on Father’s Day, what would you like to say to Ashish and to the next generation of entrepreneurs?

 Dr. S. C. Kansal. Businesses can be built through investment and technology, but reputations are built through values. Whatever success we have achieved has come because we remained committed to integrity, hard work and service to the nation. My message to Ashish, and to future generations, is simple: never compromise on values. They are the true inheritance that lasts far longer than any business.

 ADU. And Ashish, one final message for your father?

 Ashish Kansal. Every generation inherits assets, but very few inherit a reputation. The greatest gift my father has given me is not the business itself—it is the trust, credibility and values that define SMPP. My responsibility is to ensure that these values continue to guide us as we build the next chapter of the company’s journey.

For Dr. Kansal, the greatest achievement is not the business he built, but the principles he passed on. For Ashish Kansal, the greatest inheritance is not the company itself, but the value system that has made SMPP a trusted name in India’s defence ecosystem. Together, they represent a powerful reminder that while every generation inherits a foundation, it is their responsibility to build the next chapter of the story.

As told to Sangeeta Saxena