Boosting India’s Self-Reliance in Defense Manufacturing
In a significant step towards the Make in India initiative, the Indian Air Force Deputy Chief, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, inaugurated a state-of-the-art Chaff Plant at Economic Explosives Limited (EEL) in Nagpur. The event marked a milestone for Solar Industries India Limited, the parent company of EEL, which has established the country’s first fully indigenous chaff production facility.
Advanced Countermeasure Technology Now Made in India
Chaff, a critical expendable electronic countermeasure device, is used extensively in military aviation to disrupt enemy radar systems by creating false targets. Previously dependent on imports, India can now produce Chaff 118, Chaff 50mm, and Chaff 26mm domestically, along with impulse cartridges. These are essential for various aircraft, including the Jaguar D-II, MIG29, Mirage 2000, Apache, and Chinook, among others.
EEL’s Commitment to Enhancing Defense Capabilities
The Chaff payloads, developed by EEL with support from the Defence Laboratory in Jodhpur, fall under the Buy Indian-IDDM category, emphasizing indigenous design, development, and manufacturing. EEL has received airworthiness certification from the Air Force Inspecting Authorities, enabling these payloads to be integrated into aircraft and helicopters. To meet the substantial demand from the Armed Forces, EEL plans to expand its manufacturing capacity within the next six months.
This facility represents the first modern and advanced technology of its kind in the country, underscoring Solar Industries’ role in bolstering India’s defense manufacturing capabilities.
