Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) – The Ultimate Weapon System Provider is committed towards timely product delivery with highest standards of quality, prompt service, grievance redressal mechanism, transparency and accountability.
A K Maurya, Director-Operations and CMD (Addl. Charge) of AWEIL in an engaging interaction with Editor, Raksha Anirveda, shares insights on the Company’s commitment to Excellence, Delivery, and Future Growth in the Defence industry.
RA: Since its establishment, what major steps are being undertaken by AWEIL to bring in more innovation and efficiency in its manufacturing?
AKM: Since its inception, AWEIL has placed a strong emphasis on innovation and manufacturing efficiency, making significant strides in these areas. We have invested extensively in state-of-the-art facilities, advanced manufacturing technologies, and automation systems to ensure the highest standards of precision and quality. By adopting Industry 4.0 solutions, we have successfully optimised production processes and reduced lead times, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
AWEIL is strategically enhancing its infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of the Services, Ministry of Home Affairs and also for international markets. Our focus is on Artillery Gun Systems, Tank Gun Components, Ammunition Hardware and Small Arms which includes Assault Rifles, Sniper Rifles and Carbines.
AWEIL is also committed to develop modern weapon systems and a lot of thrust is being given to Research and Development activities. AWEIL has increased its R&D expenditure to 2% of total revenue for the fiscal year 2024-25, with plans to further escalate this investment to 3-5% in subsequent years. This strategic focus highlights our dedication to developing new products and advancing our technological capabilities.
AWEIL is committed towards fostering a culture of continuous improvement. We regularly organise skill development programs specifically designed for our workforce, along with specialised training programmes at AWEIL Training Academy in Ishapore. This ensures that our team is equipped with the latest manufacturing techniques and quality assurance practices, further reinforcing our dedication to excellence in Defence manufacturing.
RA: Reflecting on AWEIL’s journey of three years, what are the key milestones achieved by the company in terms of year-on-year revenue growth and meeting export targets? Have you been able to grow the business at 15-20 percent per annum as targeted?
AKM: In just three years, AWEIL has shown a remarkable growth. We have been consistently meeting and even exceeding our targets. We have been consistently growing and our units have given promising results. Our revenue has been growing at a rate of 15% approximately. This has been achieved by our continued focus on enhancing operational efficiencies, expanding our product portfolio and strengthening our customer base both domestically and internationally. AWEIL has achieved the highest revenue growth in the last five years, including the period of erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). In FY 2023-24, AWEIL recorded a revenue of INR 2039 crore. AWEIL has further plans to increase its revenue in FY 2024-25. AWEIL is looking forward to grow @ 20% per annum and it is anticipated that the sales will cross INR 4000 crore by FY 2028-29.
Currently AWEIL is having a very healthy order book which is in excess of INR 10,000 crore. Further, AWEIL has also participated in a number of RFPs related to Arty Guns, Naval Guns, Carbines and Sniper Rifles which are likely to be finalised in a year or two. We are hopeful that our order book will further grow. In the field of exports also, AWEIL has made significant progress. We have orders from various countries from Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa. Our export order book is in excess of INR 600 crore. The export orders include a range of products ranging from Small Arms, Medium-Caliber Weapons, Artillery Gun Sub Systems and Ammunition hardware. We are committed to establish AWEIL as a global leader in Defence manufacturing.
RA: Delays in product delivery and shortcomings in quality standards have been DPSUs’ hallmark, as per defence experts and analysts. How has AWEIL been tackling this unwarranted perception? Kindly elaborate with measures being taken to reverse this adverse narrative.
AKM: AWEIL has implemented a robust project management framework which ensures adherence to timelines and quality standards. We also maintain proactive communication with our customers to meet their expectations and ensure timely deliveries. Regular interaction with our customers helps us identify the areas for improvement and take corrective actions.
Artillery Gun systems are being manufactured indigenously for the first time. These systems are subjected to extreme operational conditions and the raised concerns have been thoroughly analysed. Based on this analysis, we have identified corrective and preventive actions to address the issues, ensuring that we continue to meet the highest standards of performance and reliability. Contrary to the perception of lower quality of DPSU products, AWEIL is focusing on Research & Development (R&D) to develop products of global standards. Notably, a reputed foreign OEM has praised the quality of AWEIL’s supplies which they have confirmed through a written communication and which has been followed by two repeat orders. Getting export orders at competitive prices and repeat orders from reputed OEMs in itself is a testimony of our quality and delivery.
AWEIL is strategically enhancing its infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of the Services, Ministry of Home Affairs and also for international markets. Our focus is on Artillery Gun Systems, Tank Gun Components, Ammunition Hardware and Small Arms which includes Assault Rifles, Sniper Rifles and Carbines
AWEIL is integrating advanced technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance quality assurance and manufacturing processes. We have implemented AI-based barrel bore inspection to eliminate human error and ensure precise defect detection. AI-powered predictive maintenance for CNC machines enables real-time monitoring, optimising performance. These innovations reflect our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to improve product quality and operational efficiency.
On the product delivery front, AWEIL is making consistent efforts to ensure timely deliveries to meet the customer expectations. Since inception, we have geared up our production capabilities and have successfully supplied products more than INR 5000 crore till FY 2023-24. These include a diverse range of armament solutions from Small Arms to Large-Caliber Artillery Gun Systems. These products have been delivered not only to domestic customers but also to global markets through our export initiatives.
RA: The Indian defence industry has changed over the past decade and now it’s more competitive. Do you find competitiveness a positive development for enhancing India’s standing in the global defence market? How has it benefited AWEIL?
AKM: The increased competitiveness in the Indian Defence industry has positively impacted both our domestic sector and has improved India’s position in global scenario. This environment has driven AWEIL to innovate and enhance its operational efficiency maintaining a strong focus on quality. As a result, we continuously refine our products, making them more appealing to the customers both in India and abroad. The competitive landscape has also enabled us to forge partnerships with Indian Defence industries. In this connection, AWEIL has signed a number of MOUs with leading Defence companies and with reputed academic institutions.
The competition in the Defence sector, combined with the Government of India’s emphasis on exports, has motivated AWEIL to strengthen its presence in global markets. If we compare our performance with the erstwhile OFB, we have made significant strides in getting export orders. Despite high level of competition, AWEIL has successfully penetrated both the domestic and international markets by offering competitive pricing and high-quality products.
As already mentioned AWEIL has an Export Order Book in excess of INR 600 crore. We are making continuous efforts to increase this order book further by promotion and marketing through direct engagement with potential customers, engaging channel partners, participation in domestic and international exhibitions, direct engagement with prospective customers and interaction with foreign OEMs.
RA: As AWEIL is actively pursuing the development of new products and systems to expand its portfolio, kindly provide a brief account of the progress made so far. What new products and systems do you plan to unveil in 2025-2026?
AKM: AWEIL is dedicated to expand its product portfolio with advanced technologies to enhance India’s Defence capabilities. In the coming years, AWEIL plans to introduce several innovative products such as 155mm 52 Cal Mounted Gun System, 105mm Mounted Gun System, 7.61x51mm Assault Rifle, 5.56mm CQB Carbine, 8.6mm Sniper Rifle etc. These products are being developed in collaboration with leading academic institutions and industry partners.
AWEIL is integrating advanced technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance quality assurance and manufacturing processes. We have implemented AI-based barrel bore inspection to eliminate human error and ensure precise defect detection
AWEIL has entered into long-term collaboration agreements with Indian Defence Industries for co-development and co-production in areas such as the Artillery Gun System. Our ongoing projects with industry and academia include the 155mm 52 Cal MGS in collaboration with L&T, among others. So far, AWEIL has filed 77 intellectual property rights (IPRs) with 20 already granted, reflecting our commitment to innovation and technological advancement in Defence manufacturing.
AWEIL is actively working to develop new products. These include Drone Mounted Gun System, Remote Firing Platform capable of autonomous target identification, tracking, and destruction. These initiatives are a part of our ongoing efforts to meet the evolving needs of the Armed Forces and also to contribute for India’s standing in the Global Defence arena.
RA: How is AWEIL contributing to the government’s Aatmanirbharta drive and also supporting the emerging Indian defence startup ecosystem?
AKM: At AWEIL, we are fully aligned with the government’s Aatmanirbharta initiative and take pride in being an integral part of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. Our emphasis on indigenisation reflects this commitment. AWEIL currently has an overall indigenous content of 94% which is one of the highest amongst Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). Our ultimate goal is to reach 100% indigenisation and eliminate any dependency on imports.
A significant advancement in this direction is the contract signed with the Ministry of Defence in 2024. This contract is for manufacture and supply of 463 indigenously produced 12.7mm Stabilised Remote Control Guns (SRCGs) for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, with over 85% indigenous content. These SRCGs will greatly enhance the capabilities of our naval forces in engaging small targets, aligning with the vision of Aatmanirbharta in defence. This contract will also provide significant opportunities for over 125 Indian vendors and DPSUs over the next five years, thereby strengthening the domestic defence ecosystem.
A significant advancement in this direction is the contract signed with the Ministry of Defence in 2024. This contract is for manufacture and supply of 463 indigenously produced 12.7mm Stabilised Remote Control Guns (SRCGs) for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, with over 85% indigenous content
RA: AWEIL is participating in Aero India 2025. What products and systems will be showcased at the airshow, and what are your expectations?
AKM: Aero India 2025 is one of Asia’s largest airshows, serving as a key platform for global innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange in the aerospace industry. While the event primarily focuses on aerospace, AWEIL is excited to participate and showcase our capabilities in defence manufacturing.
AWEIL will showcase the MMG MAG Gun, which is currently used by the Indian Air Force, along with a range of small arms, including sniper rifles, carbines, assault rifles, and more. Our senior leadership team will be present at the exhibition to engage with foreign OEMs, industry experts, and potential partners. We are excited to leverage this prestigious platform to expand our global presence and explore new collaboration opportunities.
