Bharat Forge’s journey into defence manufacturing began in 2012 with little recognition. At a Delhi defence expo, the company showcased its first artillery gun—only to be met with indifference and even laughter from Indian Army officials. “Not one person stopped to look. They didn’t believe an Indian company like Bharat Forge could make guns,” recalled Chairman Baba Kalyani in a New India Junction podcast. At the time, imported weapons were the norm and Indian private firms were rarely part of defence exhibitions.
Defence Dreams Sparked by a Crisis
The move into defence was inspired by the 2008 global financial crisis. Baba Kalyani, with a background tied to military schools and personal connections in the armed forces, saw potential in using Bharat Forge’s expertise in metallurgy and forging for defence production. He questioned why India couldn’t make its own artillery guns, which are largely metal-forged products.
No Entry for Private Players
Back then, defence production was monopolized by public sector units. Despite India receiving full technology transfer from Sweden during the Bofors gun deal, private companies were still kept out. Baba Kalyani even attempted political outreach—meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister A.K. Antony—but got no meaningful response. “I walked out with no follow-up. That’s how it was in those days,” he said.
Turning Point with Make in India
Despite the initial resistance, Bharat Forge continued its efforts and managed to produce artillery guns at nearly half the price of imports. A turning point came in 2014 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” push. Baba Kalyani participated in the defence-focused conclave and helped draft policy documents in coordination with defence officials.
Manohar Parrikar’s Key Role
The real breakthrough came under Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. “He understood both the policy and implementation challenges,” said Kalyani. Parrikar’s reforms led to the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016, which opened the door wider for private sector participation. According to Kalyani, this was the real beginning of India’s modern defence manufacturing landscape.
Missed Opportunities Due to Delays
Reflecting on why countries like China and South Korea advanced faster, Kalyani blamed India’s over-dependence on the public sector. “We didn’t allow private companies into defence until 2014,” he said. He also criticized the excessive regulations in government setups that stifle innovation.
A File That Told a Story
Amit Kalyani, Joint MD at Bharat Forge, recalled an encounter that highlighted the stagnation in defence procurement. He and his father met Parrikar in 2016 with a file from the 1970s—an old proposal to indigenise a defence product. Despite being submitted nearly four decades earlier, that product was still being imported.
From Being Ignored to Leading Innovation
Bharat Forge’s journey reflects the challenges private firms faced in India’s defence sector. What began with mockery and silence has now turned into recognition, thanks to persistence, policy reform, and a shift in government mindset.
