AM/NS India Aims to Double Steel Supplies for Defense
Strategic Research Institute
Published on :
25 Feb, 2022, 5:32 am
Media reports suggest that ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Ltd is aiming to double steel production for defense purposes, which is used for building naval warships, submarines and launch pads for missiles to 100,000 tonnes per annum at its integrated steel plant at Hazira in Gujarat. AM/NS India Executive Director Mr Santosh Mundhada, without specifying a time period for doubling the production, told media “Defense requirements for steel are evolving. Though it occupies only a small portion of our current production, we are looking at producing one lakh tonnes of steel annually for defense purposes. Currently, we are supplying 50,000 tonnes of steel for defense. The Indian Navy is our largest consumer, followed by the Army.”
He informed “We are in a major way associated with defense manufacturing. Since the past 7-8 years, we have been supplying steel for defense purposes. Currently we are supplying steel for submarines, steel plates for main battle tanks and field-guns, steel for canisters of Brahmos missile, high-strength and corrosion-resistant steel plates for warships, and offshore patrol vessels, steel for missile launching pads, mobile bunkers and armored vehicles.”
Though the plant at Hazira has a capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum, it is currently functioning at 8.4 million tonnes per annum & capacity will be increased to 15 million tonnes per annum by 2024. Mr Mundhada said “We have got most of the clearances and will soon begin the expansion. We want to complete the expansion in a record time of 30 months.”