Defence Minister approves ‘Miniratna’ status to AVNL and two other DPSUs

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the grant of ‘Miniratna’ status for Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) and two other DPSUs. The major products of AVNL include armoured and combat vehicles.

The other two Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) are Munitions India Limited (MIL) and India Optel Limited (IOL). Congratulating these DPSUs for their transformation from a government organisation to a profit making corporate entity in a short span of three years, Singh expressed his satisfaction over the initiatives taken by the management of MIL, AVNL and IOL in increasing the turnover of the company, along with maximising and indigenising while benchmarking performance parameters for grant of Miniratna (Category-I) status, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Munitions India Limited has achieved significant milestones after inception, including stellar growth in sales from Rs 2,571.6 Crores in 2021-22 (H2) to Rs 8,282 Crores (provisional) in FY 2024-25.

The major products of MIL include small, medium and high calibre ammunition, mortars, rockets, hand grenades etc. with in-house manufacturing of initiatory compositions, propellants and high explosives.

On the other hand, AVNL has witnessed a significant growth in sales from Rs 2,569.26 Crores in 2021-2022 (H2) to Rs 4,986 Crores (provisional) in FY 2024-25. It has also achieved 100% indigenisation of engines for all the three platforms viz., T-72, T-90 and BMP-II. The major products of AVNL include armoured / combat Vehicles (T-90, MBT Arjun, Infantry Combat Vehicles ‘BMP-II Sarath’ etc.), support vehicles (MPV, AERV etc.) and Defence mobility solutions (Stallion, LPTA etc.).

The main products of IOL include opto-electronic systems and vision equipment which are used in land system platforms and weapons like battle tanks T-90, T-72, Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-II, artillery guns and naval guns.

Bestowal of ‘Miniratna’ status to MIL, AVNL and IOL will further empower these companies to achieve accelerated growth trajectory and new heights in defence production and exports, according to the defence ministry.

To enhance functional autonomy, efficiency and unleash new growth potential and innovation, erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was converted into seven defence public sector undertakings, including these three DPSUs, with effect from October 1, 2021. While MIL and AVNL are Schedule ‘A’ new Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU), IOL is a Schedule ‘B’ DPSU under the administrative control of the Department of Defence Production (DDP), it said.

Team Maverick