NAGPUR, MAHARASHTRA — March 7, 2026 : Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), a subsidiary of Solar Industries India Limited, on Saturday laid the foundation stone for a ₹12,800 crore (approximately $1.4 billion) deep-technology manufacturing facility in Nagpur aimed at producing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), defense robotics, and related advanced systems.
The Bhoomipujan ceremony for the project was attended by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with company leadership including Solar Group Chairman Satyanarayan Nuwal. The facility will be developed at the MIHAN Special Economic Zone in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
The project represents one of the largest planned UAV and robotics manufacturing initiatives in India and is designed as an AI-powered Industry 5.0 production ecosystem. According to company officials, the facility will focus on mass production of advanced unmanned systems for defense applications while also supporting dual-use technologies for civilian and industrial sectors.
Production Capacity and Manufacturing Scope
According to data released by the company, the plant will have an annual production capacity of approximately 10,000 unmanned aerial vehicles and around 1,000 defense robots.
The UAV production program will cover a wide operational range, from short-range tactical drones with operational distances of approximately 15 kilometers to long-range unmanned platforms capable of reaching up to 1,000 kilometers. The production portfolio will also include Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones designed for extended surveillance and strike missions.
Company officials indicated that achieving an annual output of 10,000 military-grade UAVs would correspond to a production rate of roughly 27 drones per day. This level of manufacturing scale differs from traditional defense production models, which typically rely on lower-volume assembly lines for high-end systems. The facility is intended to enable rapid replenishment of unmanned systems inventories and support large-scale deployment of drone-based operational capabilities.
The robotics segment of the project will focus on specialized ground robots designed for defense missions in difficult environments. Planned systems include robotic platforms capable of operating in high-altitude areas with extreme temperatures, conducting reconnaissance operations, performing hazardous tasks, and supporting combat units in high-risk scenarios. Annual production capacity for these systems is expected to reach approximately 1,000 units.
Industry 5.0 Manufacturing Framework
Solar Defence and Aerospace stated that the Nagpur facility will operate under an Industry 5.0 manufacturing framework. The concept integrates artificial intelligence-driven automation, advanced robotics, and human-centered production systems.
The facility is expected to incorporate AI-enabled production lines designed to improve efficiency in manufacturing complex aerospace and defense systems. According to company representatives, the use of AI-assisted production and automation is intended to reduce development timelines and support high-volume output of advanced unmanned systems.
Solar officials confirmed that the first working prototype of the company’s defense robot platform is expected to be produced within approximately 12 months.
Investment Structure and Timeline
The ₹12,800 crore investment is structured under the Maharashtra government’s Mega Project and Thrust policy framework, which allows a development timeline of up to ten years.
However, Solar Group Chairman Satyanarayan Nuwal stated that the majority of capital expenditure is planned within the next three to four years in order to accelerate development of production infrastructure and begin operational manufacturing earlier in the project cycle.
Earlier developments related to the project include a provisional land allotment granted in October 2025 for approximately 223 acres within the MIHAN Special Economic Zone for the establishment of a MALE drone manufacturing facility. The project is also expected to generate around 6,800 jobs once operational.
Strategic Context and Company Expansion
Speaking during the ceremony, Nuwal stated that evolving global warfare dynamics are increasing demand for long-range unmanned systems and robotics within military operations.
The Solar Group already operates facilities involved in missile and rocket production. The new Nagpur plant will specifically focus on unmanned aerial platforms and defense robotics, expanding the company’s defense technology portfolio.
Solar Industries has also expanded its capabilities through partnerships and investments in autonomous systems technologies. The company holds a 45 percent stake in Z Motion Autonomous Pvt. Ltd., which focuses on UAV and loitering munitions development.
Among the systems associated with Solar’s defense portfolio are the Nagastra loitering munition and the Bhargavastra counter-drone system. The company also operates medium-caliber ammunition manufacturing facilities in Nagpur that were inaugurated in January 2026.
Regional Defense Manufacturing Hub
The development of the new SDAL facility further strengthens Nagpur’s position as a growing defense and aerospace manufacturing hub.
Existing defense-related industrial operations in the region include facilities operated by Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited and Tata Advanced Systems Limited.
Government officials stated that the project aligns with national initiatives to expand domestic defense production and reduce reliance on imported military technologies, under India’s broader self-reliance strategy in defense manufacturing.
The Nagpur facility will produce both military and dual-use systems, including electronic components, aerospace assemblies, unmanned platforms, and strategic technology products intended for defense and industrial markets. Construction and development of the project are expected to proceed in phases as manufacturing infrastructure and technology integration are completed.
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