The budget allocated for MIL has seen an increase in the 2020s. The defence PSU was allocated a budget of Rs 577 crore in FY2023, Rs 580 crore in FY2024 (RE), and Rs 745.45 crore in FY2025, the highest among the seven defence PSUs. This is a part of the infrastructure modernisation plan, and to increase the war reserves of the Indian Armed Forces to sustain long-drawn wars. The sum is to be invested in modernising equipment, increasing production capacity, and including new manufacturing lines for ammunition of 30mm and 40mm grenade launchers.[4]
Products
Some notable products of Munitions India include:[5]
As of February 2020, IIT Madras, in partnership with IIT Kanpur, Armament Research and Development Establishment and Research Centre Imarat, is working on redesigning an existing 155mm shell using ramjet propulsion that can cover 60km+ range. It will be made compatible with Haubits FH77, Dhanush, K9 Vajra-T and ATAGS. The shell will incorporate a Precision Guidance Kit for trajectory correction. IIT Madras will ensure that Munitions India can manufacture the shells. A number of technological advances have already been verified. The development team is awaiting product validation and prototyping now that the design is complete. Prototype is expected to be developed within three to four years.[7]
With this approach, the range of conventional shells will be enhanced by 30–50% without losing their lethality. It was approved by the Army Technology Board. It can be retrofitted onto all the existing 155mm artillery shells. Developmental trials at IIT Madras and Pokhran Field Firing Range have been successful as of December 2025.[8]
155 mm Smart Artillery Shell
The development of 155 mm Smart Ammunition for the Regiment of Artillery by Munitions India and IIT Madras was reported in February 2024. The period of development is roughly two years. The goal is to improve the accuracy and lethality of artillery shells during terminal impact. The smart shell can be launched from 155 mm 39- and 45-calibre guns including Dhanush, ATAGS and K9 Vajra-T. It will achieve a circular error probable (CEP) of 10m (33ft) against 500m (1,600ft) CEP for conventional shells. It requires housing of miniaturize electronics and sensors package with guidance, navigation, and control system. To improve accuracy, the smart artillery round will use NavIC, with a GPS backup. It will be interoperable with all of the Indian Army's artillery guns to accommodate various tactical requirements. The smart shell will incorporate three-mode fuse operation, fin stabilization, and canard control.[9] A minimum range of 8km (5.0mi) and a maximum range of 38km (24mi) are anticipated. The smart shell will have three explosion modes: delayed, height of burst, and point detonation.[10][11][12][13]
Exports
The UAE purchased 40,000 and 50,000 155 mm artillery ammunition in 2017 and 2019, respectively. In 2017 and 2019, the order was valued at approximately $40 million and $46 million, respectively. The known buyers of 155 mm shells have been the United Arab Emirates and Armenia. Unidentified European nation—likely Poland or Slovenia—just bought the artillery munitions, as per reports in February 2024.[14][15]
Videos from Ukraine have recently surfaced, showing the artillery ammunition manufactured in India being used by Ukrainian forces in Russo-Ukrainian War. Social media posts in both the Russian and Ukrainian languages reported what seemed to be Indian 155mm artillery shells likely falling into Ukraine. It was rumored that the weaponry consisted of MIL-produced HE ERFB BT shells.[14][16]
MIL and its partner, Nadrah Company, inked a $225 million deal at World Defense Show 2024 to provide artillery ammunition to Saudi Arabia.[17]
As of March 2024, Munitions India has export orders worth ₹6,000 crore, to be supplied till 2026-27. The leading customers are UAE, Vietnam, and one undisclosed country from Europe.[18]
In 2023 and early 2024, the company exported 500 tonnes of explosive to Germany's Rheinmetall.[19] An initial shipment of 144 tonnes of explosive was done in October 2023. Two additional shipments were undertaken with the final shipment in March 2024.[20]
In FY 2023-24, about Rs. 2,000 crores (i.e. 28.5%) of contracts of MIL contracts were from export orders. The total business for the same period was of Rs. 7,000 crore by value.[4]
See also
Other PSUs formed from the Ordnance Factory Board:-
l - liquidated Information updated as of January, 2020 by Department of Public Enterprises • See alsoPublic sector banks in India
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