From Precision Engineering to National Pride — How State Champions MSME of the Year 2026 Award Winner Anant Defence Systems is Strengthening India’s Defence Manufacturing Ecosystem.
For nearly four decades, Anant Defence Systems Pvt. Ltd. has been quietly building the engineering backbone of India’s defence sector through precision manufacturing, technological innovation, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Honoured with the State Champions MSME of the Year 2026 award, the company has emerged as a trusted partner in manufacturing critical hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical assemblies for India’s armoured defence platforms.
In this exclusive interaction with Mr. Chetan Dharia , Managing Director , ANANT DEFENCE SYSTEMS PVT. LTD shares inspiring 38-year journey, the values that have shaped its growth, the impact of the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, its technological strengths, the challenges of defence manufacturing, and its ambitious roadmap to become a globally recognised defence engineering company while contributing to India’s vision of self-reliance in defence and aerospace.
Congratulations on receiving the State Champions MSME of the Year 2026 award. What does this recognition mean to you and your team?
Ans: Receiving the State Champions MSME of the Year 2026 award is a matter of immense pride and honour for our Team of Anant Defence Systems Pvt. Ltd. It is a validation of nearly four decades of dedication, innovation, and commitment to India’s defence manufacturing sector.
For our team, this award is an additional feather in our cap, but more importantly, it brings with it greater responsibility. Every milestone motivates us to raise the bar further in supporting the nation’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Our employees, Supply chain partners, and customers have all contributed to this success, and this award belongs to every individual associated with our journey.
Could you share the journey behind building Anant Defence Systems Pvt. Ltd. into an award-winning MSME?
Ans:The journey of Anant Defence Systems Pvt. Ltd. spans over 38 years of unwavering passion, perseverance, and commitment towards indigenous defence manufacturing.
We believe in Punch Tatvas of our company as People & Performance Driven, Syetem & Processes Driven, Data & Technology Driven, and Culture & Values Driven & Purpose Driven. Over the years, we have evolved from manufacturing precision components to developing highly critical hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical assemblies for critical Tank applications for T90/T72/BMP Tanks. This consistent focus on quality, technological advancement, and customer satisfaction has helped us earn the trust of defence establishments and public sector organisations, ultimately leading to this prestigious recognition.
What are the key innovations or technologies that differentiate your company in India’s defence manufacturing sector?
Ans: Our strength lies in manufacturing complex hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical assemblies and sub-assemblies used in critical defence Tank applications. These products demand exceptional engineering precision, stringent quality standards, and complete reliability under demanding operational conditions of -50°C to +50°C
One of our major differentiators is our capability to work with specialised and critical materials while maintaining extremely tight manufacturing tolerances. In addition to manufacturing, we also develop customised testing facilities and test rigs for every assembly to ensure complete functional validation as per Russian Standards before actual delivery to customer.
Our expertise includes designing and manufacturing testing systems in accordance with stringent Russian defence standards wherever required.
How has the Government’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives influenced your company’s growth?
Ans: The Government of India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives have significantly accelerated the growth of indigenous defence manufacturing. These initiatives created opportunities for Indian MSMEs by encouraging localisation and reducing dependence on imports. We also aim to broaden our supply chain by partnering with a large number of small and medium enterprises, encouraging collaboration under the Make in India initiative while supporting the vision of Make for the World. Through effective integration and collaboration. The visionary policy decisions taken during the tenure of the late Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikarji, particularly the emphasis on indigenous procurement and restricting unnecessary imports by ordnance factories, opened new avenues for companies like ours. This policy shift encouraged Indian manufacturers to invest confidently in technology development, infrastructure, and specialised manufacturing capabilities. This vision has been further strengthened by the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, championed by Shri Rajnath Singhji in alignment with the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modiji. Together, these initiatives encourage indigenous manufacturing, technological self-reliance, and the development of globally competitive products from India.
As a result, Anant Defence Systems has been able to expand its product portfolio, strengthen customer confidence, and actively contribute to India’s self-reliance in defence production. Today, we are proud to be part of the nation’s journey towards becoming a global defence manufacturing hub. In last 1 decade we have done 12x Growth in our revenues.
What were the biggest challenges you faced while establishing a defence manufacturing enterprise, and how did you overcome them?
Ans: Defence manufacturing is one of the most demanding engineering sectors, where quality, precision, and reliability cannot be compromised. One of our biggest challenges was integrating multiple complex technologies involving hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, Electromechanical, Electro pneumatic and material engineering into a seamless manufacturing process.
Another major challenge was consistently achieving 100 % production quality while ensuring every product met stringent endurance and life-cycle testing requirements even the meagre Qty requirement to keep supply chain live. We addressed these challenges by continuously upgrading our manufacturing infrastructure, investing in advanced testing facilities, strengthening quality assurance systems, and developing highly skilled technical teams.
In your opinion, what role can MSMEs play in strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem?
Ans: MSMEs are the backbone of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. While large defence organisations and public sector enterprises execute major programmes, they depend extensively on MSMEs for specialised manufacturing, precision engineering, component development, innovation, and supply chain support.
Indian MSMEs possess the agility to quickly adopt new technologies, develop customised solutions, and respond efficiently to changing defence requirements. Their specialised capabilities enable the development of high-quality components and sub-systems that are essential for complex defence platforms.
Strengthening the MSME ecosystem through policy support, technology collaboration, and long-term procurement strategies will be crucial for achieving India’s defence manufacturing ambitions.
What are your expansion plans over the next three to five years, both in domestic and international markets?
Ans: Anant Defence Systems is entering an exciting phase of expansion. We already operate a modern 2-acre manufacturing facility at Shirwal, equipped to handle complex defence manufacturing requirements.
Looking ahead, we plan to establish another 3-acre advanced manufacturing facility over the next two to three years. This new plant will focus on manufacturing larger and more technologically advanced assemblies for the defence sector. We are also exploring strategic joint ventures with global technology partners to bring advanced manufacturing practices and specialised technologies to India.
Alongside expanding our domestic capabilities, we also aim to strengthen our presence in international markets by offering world-class indigenous defence manufacturing solutions that meet global quality standards. Our long-term vision is to establish Anant Defence Systems as a globally recognised defence manufacturing company while continuing to contribute meaningfully to India’s mission of self-reliance in defence and aerospace.
