Archive · 10 Jun 2025
Bharat Forge's Journey: From Skepticism to Defense Innovation
Imagine a company in India that wanted to make guns, like big army cannons.
They tried showing their gun at a show, but the army didn't believe an Indian company could do it and preferred buying from other countries.
The company's boss wanted to make guns because he was fascinated by them and saw they used skills the company already had.
They faced many obstacles, like rules that made it hard to create new things and the government mostly buying from foreign companies.
Things changed when the government started encouraging companies to make things in India, and some helpful leaders helped make the rules better.
Now, the company makes guns and they're cheaper than imports!
Bharat Forge, an Indian company, faced skepticism when showcasing its artillery gun in 2012.
The company's chairman, Baba Kalyani, decided to diversify into defense manufacturing after the 2008 financial crisis.
Initially, the Indian government favored foreign suppliers and restricted private sector involvement in defense production.
The 'Make in India' initiative and policy changes under Manohar Parrikar helped open up the defense sector.
Bharat Forge's experience highlights the impact of public sector dominance and regulatory hurdles on innovation.
- Who
- Baba Kalyani and Amit Kalyani from Bharat Forge, and the Indian Army.
- What
- Bharat Forge's efforts to enter and succeed in the defense manufacturing sector by making artillery guns.
- When
- Starting in 2012 and continuing into the 'Make in India' era.
- Where
- India, primarily Delhi at a defense exhibition.
- Why
- To diversify business and apply existing forging skills to defense, and later, due to policy changes.
Supporters of Private Sector Involvement
Supporters of Existing System
Role of Public Sector
Supporters of Private Sector Involvement
Public sector dominance stifled innovation and progress in the defense sector.
Supporters of Existing System
Not explicitly stated in the article, but can be inferred to support the previous system of reliance on public sector.
- Company
- Bharat Forge
- Year of First Artillery Gun Exhibition
- 2012
- Inspiration for Defense Diversification
- 2008 Financial Crisis
- Key Government Initiative
- Make in India
- Important Figure
- Manohar Parrikar
- Issue Highlighted
- Public Sector Monopoly