Today, the Indian Army is operating in an era defined by geopolitical uncertainty, new forms of threats, and technology-heavy battlefields. In response, its focus has sharpened on homegrown capability, faster induction of new systems, and ensuring survivability on the front lines.
Whether in the high mountains, the mechanised plains, or in the realm of artillery and drones, the Army’s doctrine now centres on self-reliance, scalability, and trusted domestic partners.
Against this backdrop, 2025 proved to be a transformative year for India’s private defence sector. Among the companies that moved decisively from building capability to delivering on strategy was SMPP. Its achievements over the past year reflect not just industrial maturity, but a deep alignment with the Indian Army’s evolving needs. Across personal protection, artillery ammunition, unmanned systems, and aerial platforms, SMPP’s growing footprint is helping to strengthen the nation’s indigenous defence base.
Focus on Soldier Survivability
A soldier’s survivability remains the bedrock of combat effectiveness in modern warfare. Whether in counter-insurgency operations, high-altitude postings, or conventional battles, ballistic protection directly impacts operational stamina and morale. Recognising this, the Indian Army has consistently sought advanced personal protection that is lightweight, highly resistant, and tough enough for diverse environments.
In 2025, SMPP achieved a landmark under the Army’s Emergency Procurement framework, securing orders worth over ₹300 crore for supplying 27,700 bulletproof jackets and 11,700 advanced ballistic helmets. These systems are designed, developed, and made in India, using advanced materials and configurations tested for Indian conditions.
This order is about more than numbers. Emergency procurement is reserved for systems that meet urgent operational needs with minimal risk. SMPP’s selection shows the Army’s long-standing trust in its quality, homegrown design expertise, and ability to deliver at scale under tight deadlines.
Why Ammunition Matters
While platforms often grab headlines, wars are sustained—and won—by ammunition. For the Indian Army, artillery is the backbone of deterrence and battlefield dominance, especially along contested borders where range, accuracy, and sustained firepower are decisive.
Historically, large-calibre ammunition and propellants have been areas of strategic vulnerability, dominated by state-run units and limited imports. 2025 marked a decisive shift. SMPP emerged as the only private Indian defence manufacturer to successfully clear all user trials and DGQA evaluations for both the Bi-Modular Charge System (BMCS) and 155mm artillery ammunition, including Boat Tail and Base Bleed variants.
In 2025, SMPP secured emergency orders worth over ₹300 crore for 27,700 bulletproof jackets and 11,700 ballistic helmets, reflecting the Army’s trust in its ability to deliver critical protective gear at scale and speed
This is an unprecedented achievement in the private sector. Passing these trials requires mastery over complex energetic materials, precision manufacturing, consistent ballistic performance, and strict safety standards. For the Indian Army, it introduces much-needed competition, resilience, and scalability into a domain that directly impacts combat readiness.
Importantly, SMPP has set up a state-of-the-art ammunition facility, which in 2025 also executed its first export order—a signal of international confidence in Indian private-sector ammunition quality.
Today, SMPP’s ammunition division holds an order book of around ₹2,000 crore, reflecting strong domestic demand and growing global interest. For the Indian Army, this means assured access to critical ammunition types, reduced import dependency, and greater flexibility in long-term planning.
Next-Generation Artillery
Alongside indigenous development, the Indian Army’s modernisation plan values selective global partnerships that bring in advanced technology while strengthening domestic manufacturing. A defining moment in 2025 was SMPP’s Teaming Agreement with KNDS (the Franco-German defence major) to introduce the KATANA family of next-generation 155mm precision-guided artillery ammunition to India.
The KATANA system represents a major leap in artillery lethality, offering extended range, high accuracy through GNSS-IMU guidance, and reduced collateral damage—capabilities that fit modern precision-warfare doctrines. Under the deal, KNDS provides the technological depth, while SMPP anchors local production, integration, and lifecycle support.
For the Indian Army, this partnership expands future procurement options while staying true to the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat frameworks. It ensures that advanced artillery solutions are not just imported, but sustained domestically.
The New Battlefield Essential
Recent conflicts worldwide have shown that unmanned systems are no longer just force multipliers—they are essential. Surveillance drones, loitering munitions, and autonomous platforms have reshaped tactical planning, especially in contested and asymmetric environments.
Recognising this shift, SMPP formally entered the Drone and Unmanned Systems domain in 2025. This was no tentative step; the company secured major orders exceeding ₹1,000 crore for Surveillance and Kamikaze Drone Systems, showing immediate user confidence. These systems are designed to meet the Indian Army’s needs in persistent intelligence and reconnaissance, precision strikes, and tactical support, with a strong focus on indigenous control systems, defence-grade payloads, and secure communications. As the Army integrates drones across infantry, artillery, and armoured units, SMPP’s presence adds depth to India’s homegrown UAV ecosystem.
Boosting Aerial Survivability
Airpower survivability is increasingly vital as helicopters operate closer to contested zones. The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), built for high-altitude warfare, is a key asset for the Army and Air Force’s offensive and reconnaissance missions.
In 2025, SMPP was awarded a five-year contract by HAL to armour 160 LCH platforms. This long-term engagement highlights SMPP’s leadership in aerospace-grade armour solutions, where precision engineering, weight management, and certification standards are non-negotiable.
For the Indian Army, this programme directly boosts crew survivability and mission effectiveness, especially in high-threat settings. For the domestic industry, it confirms the role of private players in supporting India’s most strategic aviation platforms through their lifecycle.
From Supplier to Strategic Partner
What sets SMPP’s 2025 journey apart is its strategic coherence. Personal protection, ammunition, drones, and aerospace armour are all interconnected parts of the Indian Army’s modern combat framework.
By delivering across these domains, SMPP has evolved from a specialist manufacturer into a multi-domain defence partner. Its ability to pass stringent trials, execute large orders, set up new facilities, and engage in high-value international collaborations reflects an organisation in sync with both urgent operational needs and long-term national goals.
SMPP cleared all user trials for 155mm artillery ammunition and Bi-Modular Charge Systems—a first for a private Indian firm—bringing competition and resilience to a domain vital for battlefield dominance
Takeaways
SMPP’s progress points to the broader maturation of India’s private defence sector. The Indian Army’s growing reliance on homegrown private players demonstrates confidence in their quality assurance, intellectual property, and project execution—beyond just manufacturing prowess.
As India positions itself as a credible defence exporter and regional security provider, companies like SMPP will be central to turning policy into reality on the ground.
The Indian Army’s modernisation drive is built on preparedness, precision, and self-reliance. In 2025, SMPP emerged as a critical enabler of this journey—strengthening soldier protection, reinforcing artillery dominance, advancing unmanned capabilities, and deepening indigenous aerospace survivability.
With a strong ammunition order book, breakthrough trial clearances, and expanding work across key Army programmes, SMPP has grown into a confident, capable, and increasingly self-reliant defence enterprise. As future conflicts demand quicker adaptation and deeper industrial resilience, partnerships between the Indian Army and homegrown industry will remain decisive for national security.
