Swan Defence and US-based Varex Imaging Join Forces to Manufacture High-Energy Cargo Scanners in India

In a significant boost to India’s homeland security infrastructure and industrial manufacturing capabilities, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI), a Navi Mumbai-based engineering firm, has signed a strategic agreement with US-based Varex Imaging Corporation to manufacture advanced cargo and vehicle inspection systems in India.

The agreement will see SDHI locally manufacture high-energy linear accelerator (LINAC) based imaging systems at its state-of-the-art shipbuilding and heavy engineering facility in Pipavav, Gujarat—marking a major step in India’s push for self-reliance in critical security technologies.

A Homeland Security Milestone

The high-energy imaging systems—commonly used at ports, airports, and border crossings—enable non-intrusive inspection of vehicles and containers for explosives, contraband, and illicit goods. These scanners will be built under the Make in India initiative, combining Varex’s world-class technology with SDHI’s heavy fabrication and systems integration capabilities.

“This partnership aligns with our vision to support India’s strategic needs in border security and customs infrastructure through indigenous manufacturing,” said a senior SDHI official. “By bringing Varex’s technology to India, we are not only strengthening national security but also creating export opportunities.”

How the System Works

At the core of these inspection systems is Varex’s linear accelerator (LINAC) technology, which generates high-energy X-rays capable of penetrating dense materials—far more powerful than conventional X-ray systems.

Here’s how it functions:

• A LINAC emits a controlled beam of X-rays through a vehicle or cargo container.

• Digital detectors, including flat panel arrays and photon-counting sensors, capture the image data in real-time.

• Advanced software processes the scanned data, flagging potential threats such as hidden explosives, narcotics, or unauthorized goods.

• This non-intrusive inspection process increases efficiency at border checkpoints while ensuring high levels of security.

These systems are particularly useful in high-volume environments like seaports, where opening each cargo container is time-consuming and impractical.

Built in Gujarat for India and the World

The systems will be manufactured at SDHI’s expansive facility in Pipavav, home to India’s largest dry dock (662 m x 65 m) and a fabrication capacity of 144,000 tonnes per annum. This facility, originally built for shipbuilding and naval work, is now being diversified into advanced homeland security manufacturing.

According to SDHI, the partnership with Varex will not only cater to Indian agencies like the Customs Department, Border Security Force (BSF), and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), but also open export avenues to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Global Context and Market Trends

Varex Imaging, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a global leader in X-ray imaging technology. In 2025 alone, it secured over $55 million in orders for high-energy cargo inspection systems, including recent contracts worth $17 million and $25 million from international customers.

With rising global concerns around smuggling, terrorism, and illegal arms trafficking, the demand for non-intrusive scanning systems is at an all-time high. Analysts expect the partnership to capitalize on this demand while helping India reduce its dependency on foreign imports for sensitive inspection equipment.

Strengthening National Security

This collaboration is expected to significantly bolster India’s port and border security framework, especially at high-risk entry points such as:

• Land border crossings with Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

• Major seaports like Mumbai, Kandla, and Vizag.

• Inland container depots (ICDs) and logistics parks.

Officials familiar with the project indicate that the first batch of Indian-made scanners could be deployed by mid-2026, with future plans for joint R&D and component localization of key parts such as detectors and X-ray tubes.

The SDHI–Varex partnership is more than a manufacturing agreement—it represents a broader strategic alignment between Indian industrial capability and U.S. technology leadership. With a focus on Make in India, national security, and global competitiveness, this collaboration has the potential to transform how India scans, secures, and supervises its critical trade and transit infrastructure.

As nations worldwide tighten security at ports and borders, India is stepping up—with cutting-edge tech, made at home.