The Nagpur-based Solar Group performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a massive $1.4 billion (₹12,780 crore) DeepTech manufacturing ecosystem at the MIHAN SEZ in Nagpur.
The event, attended by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, marks the group’s strategic evolution from an explosives and ammunition leader into a global high-technology defense and robotics powerhouse.
Facility Blueprint: The Industry 5.0 Ecosystem
The new 249-acre facility, operated by Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd (SDAL), is designed as an AI-powered hub focused on autonomous systems. Unlike traditional automation, this “Industry 5.0” site emphasizes the collaboration between advanced AI and human-centric production.
- Annual Production Targets:
- Military Drones: 10,000+ units of varying sizes (Micro to tactical).
- Humanoid Robots: 1,000 units for mission support and disaster response.
- MALE UAVs: 50 Medium Altitude Long Endurance drones for strategic surveillance.
- Quadruped Robots: Four-legged robotic systems for tactical maneuvers in hazardous or uneven terrains.
- Timeline: Production is expected to commence within one year (by early 2027).
Parallel Investment: The $1.5 Billion Battery Hub
In a simultaneous move to ensure energy security for its autonomous systems, Solar Group has also committed $1.5 billion to a separate Lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility in Nagpur.
- Defense Focus: While the facility will serve broader markets, it is primarily geared toward high-discharge, rugged battery packs required for military drones, wearable robotic exoskeletons, and silent electric propulsion systems.
- Status: Construction began in early March 2026, with deliveries targeted within the next 12 months.
Strategic Rationale: “Strategic Autonomy”
Chairman Satyanarayan Nuwal emphasized that the investment is not just about assembly, but about controlling the entire value chain.
- In-house AI & Electronics: The group is investing in domestic production of AI-based assemblies and electronic controllers to reduce reliance on imported components.
- Disaster & Tactical Roles: Beyond combat, the humanoid and quadruped systems are being developed for “Search and Rescue” in disaster zones where human entry is impossible.
- Regional Impact: The investment was cleared under Maharashtra’s “Thrust and Mega Sector” policy, expected to create thousands of high-tech engineering jobs in the Vidarbha region.
“This ₹12,780 crore investment represents our commitment to position India as a global hub for autonomous systems. We are building the future of tactical technology right here in Nagpur.” — Satyanarayan Nuwal, Chairman, Solar Group.
