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.
It’s development of Belgaum which provides employment as well, further there is vast land available besides Kakati Hattargi area which hv to b used to set up new Industries.