The Ascendance of Adani Defence & Aerospace: A New Frontier in India’s Defense Landscape

By IndraStra Global Editorial Team

Cover Image Attribute: Adani Defence Unveils Akshi 7 UAS at Aero India 2025: A Rebranded Hermes 650 Spark for Advanced Tactical Operations / Source: Vayu Aerospace Review via X

In less than a decade, Adani Defence & Aerospace has emerged as a formidable player in India’s defense sector, a domain long dominated by government-owned enterprises. From its inception in 2015 as a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, the conglomerate has leveraged strategic acquisitions, innovative product lines, and a clear alignment with the government’s “Make in India” initiative to carve out a significant niche. This rapid rise prompts critical questions about its impact on India’s traditional defense ecosystem, particularly the public sector undertakings (PSUs) that have been the backbone of the country’s military-industrial complex for decades. As Adani expands its footprint, the long-term implications—both for competition with government firms and the potential privatization of PSUs—loom large, raising the prospect of a seismic shift in India’s defense industry.

The Genesis and Product Portfolio

Adani Defence & Aerospace entered the scene at a time when India was seeking to reduce its overwhelming dependence on imported military hardware—estimated at over 60% of its defense needs—and foster indigenous manufacturing. The company positioned itself as a private-sector pioneer, focusing on high-demand areas such as unmanned aerial systems (UAS), small arms, ammunition, missiles, and counter-drone technologies. Its product lines reflect a pragmatic blend of immediate utility and long-term strategic value.
One of its flagship offerings is the Drishti 10 Starliner, a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone developed in collaboration with Israel’s Elbit Systems. Unveiled in 2023, this UAS boasts a 36-hour flight endurance and a 250-kilogram payload capacity, making it suitable for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The Indian Navy has already taken delivery of two units (unfortunately, one crashed during acceptance trial), with plans for further induction, signaling its operational relevance. Adani has also ventured into counter-drone systems, such as the Rudrav platform, demonstrated in 2022 at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. This system addresses the growing threat of unauthorized drones, a pressing concern for both military and civilian security.
The company’s small arms portfolio, bolstered by the 2020 acquisition of PLR Systems Private Ltd., includes assault rifles, light machine guns, and pistols. This marked a historic milestone as India’s first private-sector small arms manufacturing contract, awarded in 2021, with orders exceeding ₹1,000 crore from the Indian armed forces. Adani’s ammunition and missile production capabilities took a significant leap forward in February 2024 with the inauguration of two facilities in Kanpur, part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor. These plants, spanning 500 acres, aim to produce 150 million rounds of small-caliber ammunition annually—about a quarter of India’s requirement—alongside medium- and large-caliber rounds and missiles.
Recent partnerships have further diversified its offerings. In June 2024, Adani signed an agreement with France’s Thales Group to manufacture 70mm rockets for India’s HAL Rudra and Prachand helicopters, and a collaboration with UAE-based EDGE Group targets missiles, unmanned systems, and electronic warfare technologies. These moves underscore Adani’s ambition to not only supply India’s military but also position itself as an exporter, aligning with the “India for Global” vision articulated by its leadership.

Strategic Acquisitions Fueling Growth

Adani’s ascent owes much to a series of calculated acquisitions that have rapidly expanded its technological and operational capabilities. The 2020 purchase of a 51% stake in PLR Systems gave it an entry point into small arms manufacturing, leveraging PLR’s existing expertise. In May 2022, Adani Defence Systems and Technologies acquired a 50% stake in Bengaluru-based General Aeronautics, a firm engaged with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on projects like long-range guided bombs, very short-range air defense systems (VSHORAD), and anti-radiation missiles (Rudram-1). This acquisition brought cutting-edge UAV and precision munitions expertise under Adani’s umbrella.
The most recent and transformative acquisition came in December 2024, when Adani Defence Systems & Technologies purchased an 85.8% stake in Air Works India (Engineering) Private Ltd., India’s largest private maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) company, for ₹400 crore. With facilities in Hosur, Mumbai, and Kochi, and certifications from over 20 international aviation authorities, Air Works enhances Adani’s ability to service both military and civilian aircraft. This move not only strengthens its defense MRO capabilities but also positions it to bid for larger contracts, including those involving helicopters and drones, across domestic and international markets.
These acquisitions are not merely opportunistic; they reflect a deliberate strategy to build a comprehensive defense ecosystem. By integrating specialized firms, Adani has bypassed the slow process of organic growth, gaining immediate access to established technologies, skilled personnel, and market credibility. This approach contrasts sharply with the incremental progress often seen in government PSUs, which are burdened by bureaucratic inertia and legacy systems.

Impact on Government-Owned Defense Firms

The rise of Adani Defence & Aerospace poses both a challenge and an opportunity for India’s government-owned defense firms, such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), and the Ordnance Factory Board (now restructured into seven PSUs under the Defence Public Sector Undertakings framework). Historically, these entities have enjoyed a near-monopoly on defense production, supported by assured contracts and government funding. However, Adani’s entry—alongside other private players like Tata Advanced Systems and Larsen & Toubro—has introduced competition that threatens their dominance.
One immediate impact is on market share. Adani’s Kanpur ammunition facilities, for instance, aim to supply a significant portion of India’s small-arms ammunition needs, a segment traditionally dominated by the Ordnance Factories. Similarly, its UAVs and counter-drone systems compete with HAL’s efforts in unmanned systems and BEL’s radar and electronic warfare offerings. The private sector’s ability to deliver faster, often at lower costs due to streamlined operations, puts pressure on PSUs to improve efficiency and innovation—areas where they have historically lagged.
Data supports this shift. India’s defense exports rose from ₹1,521 crore in 2016-17 to ₹21,083 crore in 2022-23, with private firms accounting for nearly 60% of this growth. Adani’s contracts, such as the ₹1,000 crore small arms deal and its drone deliveries to the Navy, illustrate how private players are encroaching on PSU territory. This competition has forced the government to rethink its reliance on PSUs, as evidenced by the 2021 corporatization of the Ordnance Factory Board, aimed at enhancing autonomy and competitiveness.
Yet, the impact is not uniformly negative. Adani’s collaborations with DRDO and its integration of MSMEs into its supply chain—over 800 small firms are reportedly involved—suggest a symbiotic potential. PSUs could benefit from partnerships with private firms, leveraging their R&D capabilities and global networks. For instance, Adani’s work with Thales and EDGE could open export markets for PSU products, provided they adapt to joint ventures. However, without such adaptation, PSUs risk losing ground as private firms like Adani secure more contracts and government support under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative.

The Privatization Debate and Adani’s Potential Role

The long-term trajectory of India’s defense sector raises a provocative question: could the rise of private players like Adani lead to the privatization of PSUs, and might Adani itself acquire these entities? The government’s push for self-reliance, coupled with the inefficiencies of many PSUs, has fueled discussions about privatization. The 2021 corporatization of the Ordnance Factories was a tentative step, but full privatization—selling stakes to private entities—remains a contentious prospect.
Proponents argue that privatization could inject capital, technology, and managerial expertise into underperforming PSUs. HAL, for example, has faced delays in projects like the Tejas fighter jet, while BEL struggles with innovation pace compared to global competitors. Adani, with its proven acquisition strategy and ₹2-2.5 billion war chest earmarked for defense investments over the next few years (as reported in June 2024), is well-positioned to take over such firms. Its recent Air Works acquisition demonstrates its capacity to absorb and scale specialized entities, a model that could apply to PSUs.
Imagine Adani acquiring a stake in Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), a PSU specializing in submarines and warships. Adani’s Mundra port, India’s largest private port, could serve as a manufacturing hub, integrating MDL’s expertise with Adani’s logistics and export focus. Similarly, a takeover of Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a missile manufacturer, could align with Adani’s Kanpur missile facilities, creating synergies in production and R&D. Such moves would consolidate Adani’s dominance, potentially making it India’s largest defense contractor.
However, significant hurdles exist. PSUs employ over 80,000 workers, and privatization could trigger labor unrest and political backlash, especially from unions and opposition parties wary of Adani’s perceived closeness to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The strategic nature of defense also raises national security concerns—can a private entity be trusted with critical assets? The government’s 2020 decision to cap private-sector involvement in certain “strategic” defense areas reflects this caution. Moreover, Adani’s financial controversies, including the 2023 Hindenburg Research allegations of stock manipulation (which it denied), could complicate public and regulatory approval for PSU acquisitions.

Critical Reflections and the Road Ahead

Adani Defence & Aerospace’s rise is a double-edged sword. It exemplifies the potential of private enterprise to drive innovation and efficiency, challenging the status quo of a PSU-dominated sector. Its product lines—drones, small arms, ammunition, and MRO services—address immediate military needs while building a foundation for future growth. Acquisitions have accelerated this ascent, positioning Adani as a serious contender in a field once thought impregnable.
Yet, its impact on PSUs reveals a tension between competition and coexistence. While Adani pressures government firms to adapt, it also risks sidelining them, potentially weakening a system that, despite its flaws, has sustained India’s defense needs for decades. The privatization debate amplifies this tension. Adani’s potential to acquire PSUs could modernize the sector but at the cost of public control and jobs—a trade-off India must weigh carefully.
Looking ahead, Adani’s trajectory depends on execution. Its ₹1,000 crore investment in Telangana for counter-drone and missile facilities, announced in January 2024, and plans for 155mm artillery rounds production signal ambition. But sustaining this growth requires overcoming sanctions-like constraints on technology access, managing debt (a lingering concern post-Hindenburg), and navigating geopolitical risks, especially given its exports to Israel amid Middle East tensions.
India’s defense sector stands at a crossroads. Adani’s rise could herald a new era of private-led innovation, possibly culminating in PSU privatization. Alternatively, it might force a hybrid model where PSUs and private firms coexist, each sharpening the other’s edge. The outcome hinges on policy, politics, and Adani’s ability to deliver—not just hardware, but a vision for a self-reliant India that balances profit with national interest. For now, Adani Defence & Aerospace is a disruptor to watch, its every move a test of India’s military-industrial future.

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