Balu Forge Industries Ltd. has inaugurated its fully automated empty-shell production line at its greenfield manufacturing campus in Belagavi (Unit 1 and 2 are at Kakti, while 3unit is at Next to Aequs SEZ, Hattargi Village)—marking one of India’s first 100% indigenously designed and automated lines in the defence manufacturing sector.
The new line, capable of producing 360,000 large-calibre ammunition shells annually, is powered by near-complete automation using FANUC Robotics. The end-to-end unmanned forging setup—programmed and commissioned in-house—operates at a cycle time of 55 seconds, positioning Belagavi among India’s most advanced defence-engineering hubs.
Designed through collaboration with 18 Indian machinery manufacturers, the line supports 155 mm, 120 mm, 105 mm, 81 mm and other ammunition categories. Balu Forge plans additional precision-engineering lines at its Belagavi facilities (Kakti units and the Hattargi plant near Aequs SEZ) as part of a phased expansion aligned with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
Executive Director Trimaan Chandock said the development represents a strategic move to diversify into large-calibre ammunition systems and scale India’s defence-manufacturing capabilities. “This milestone strengthens our long-term commitment to high-precision defence production and expands Belagavi’s role in India’s industrial growth,” he noted.
With a 46-acre integrated campus featuring forging presses, machining units, metallurgical labs, and tool-room facilities, Balu Forge continues to position Belagavi as a rising node in global precision engineering and defence supply chains.