Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for a new Naval Systems Manufacturing Facility of Bharat Dynamics Limited at T Sirasapalli village in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant expansion in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing infrastructure. The upcoming facility is expected to play a major role in strengthening India’s underwater warfare capabilities and supporting the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision in the strategic defence sector.
Established under the Ministry of Defence in 1970, Bharat Dynamics Limited has emerged as one of India’s leading defence manufacturing enterprises and a key production partner for DRDO in the development and manufacturing of advanced missile systems and underwater weapon technologies.
The new manufacturing complex is being developed to address the growing operational requirements of the Indian Navy for advanced underwater weapon systems and naval combat solutions. Spread across nearly 160 acres, the facility will include advanced manufacturing and assembly infrastructure, integration buildings, explosive handling and storage systems, testing infrastructure, acoustic tank facilities, administrative buildings, and a dedicated green belt.
According to the company, the facility will primarily focus on the production of underwater weapon systems, torpedoes, naval mines, and associated combat systems for naval applications. The project is being developed with an estimated investment of around ₹500 crore and is expected to be completed over the next four years.
The expansion is expected to significantly enhance the production capacity of Bharat Dynamics Limited and support the simultaneous execution of multiple strategic projects. The location of the facility near Visakhapatnam is also expected to strengthen collaboration with Indian Navy establishments and DRDO laboratories operating in the region.
India’s increasing focus on maritime security, underwater warfare preparedness, and indigenous defence manufacturing has accelerated investments in naval technologies and strategic defence infrastructure. Advanced underwater weapon systems are considered critical components of modern naval defence operations, supporting surveillance, deterrence, and combat readiness across maritime environments.
Bharat Dynamics Limited manufactures several advanced missile systems including Akash, Astra, and Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile systems, along with anti-tank guided missiles and underwater weapon systems such as the heavyweight torpedo Varunastra, lightweight torpedo TAL, C-303 decoys, and associated launcher systems.
The company has played an important role in India’s defence indigenisation efforts by supporting domestic production of strategic and tactical weapon systems developed in partnership with DRDO and other defence agencies. Apart from strengthening national security infrastructure, the new project is expected to generate nearly 3,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities across manufacturing, engineering, logistics, ancillary industries, and technical services.
The facility is also likely to provide a significant boost to local MSMEs and supplier ecosystems linked to defence manufacturing activities in Andhra Pradesh. The new naval systems manufacturing facility represents a major strategic expansion for Bharat Dynamics Limited and is expected to contribute toward enhancing India’s long-term defence preparedness and underwater warfare capabilities.
BDL plays a vital role in enhancing India’s defense capabilities and is a key supplier of indigenous defense technologies. The company operates manufacturing units in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and other locations, and it continues to invest in cutting-edge research and development to strengthen India’s defense infrastructure. Bharat Dynamics has consistently contributed to the country’s self-reliance in defense and has expanded its footprint in both domestic and international markets.
