Balu Forge Industries Limited inaugurated India’s first fully indigenous automated production line for large-calibre artillery shells, including 155mm, 120mm, 105mm, and 81mm projectiles, at its greenfield facility in Belgaum, Karnataka, on December 10, 2025. Capable of producing 360,000 empty shells annually with a 55-second unmanned cycle time powered by FANUC robotics and in-house design involving over 18 Indian manufacturers, the facility advances Atmanirbhar Bharat by curbing imports from Russia and South Korea. This step bolsters India’s defense self-reliance, ensuring sustained ammunition supply for the armed forces amid vulnerabilities exposed during the May 2025 Operation Sindoor standoff with Pakistan, where stockpiles fell short, while enabling NATO-standard certifications and future expansions for domestic and global needs.