New Delhi, Dec 30, 2025 — The Adani Group has announced a major strategic move with plans to invest ₹1.8 lakh crore in defence manufacturing in 2026, underscoring its growing role in India’s rapidly expanding defence sector. The investment will be routed primarily through Adani Defence & Aerospace, the conglomerate’s defence arm, and represents one of the largest private-sector commitments to defence production in recent years.
According to reports, the proposed investment is aimed at strengthening indigenous military manufacturing capabilities, with a strong emphasis on next-generation defence technologies. Key focus areas include unmanned and autonomous platforms, advanced guided weapons, sensors and electronics, artificial intelligence-enabled multi-domain systems, as well as the expansion of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and training infrastructure.
The move aligns closely with the Indian government’s flagship initiatives such as “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, which seek to reduce dependence on imported defence equipment and build a robust domestic defence industrial base. In recent years, India’s defence production has reached record levels, driven by increased participation from private companies alongside public sector undertakings.
Adani Defence & Aerospace, established in 2015, has steadily expanded its footprint across the defence value chain. The company’s portfolio includes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), precision-strike systems, counter-drone solutions, and small arms and ammunition, positioning it as a key player in India’s private defence manufacturing ecosystem. It has also received industry recognition for innovation and manufacturing excellence.
Industry experts believe that such a large-scale investment could significantly enhance India’s future warfare readiness, generate employment, promote technological innovation, and strengthen the country’s defence export potential. The planned expansion is expected to support both domestic defence requirements and India’s ambition to emerge as a competitive global defence manufacturing hub.
As India accelerates its defence modernisation and indigenisation efforts, investments of this magnitude by private conglomerates are seen as crucial in complementing government initiatives. The Adani Group’s proposed ₹1.8 lakh crore defence push is expected to play a significant role in shaping the next phase of India’s defence manufacturing growth.