Forging Supplier for India Defence PSUs: DRDO, Ordnance Factories, and HAL

August 12, 2026


India’s defence industrial base — anchored by DRDO, the seven Defence PSUs (including Munitions India, Armoured Vehicles Nigam, and Advanced Weapons and Equipment India), and HAL is undergoing the most significant transformation since independence. The Atmanirbhar Bharat defence policy, Positive Indigenisation Lists, and Make in India defence procurement are creating sustained demand for AS9100D certified Indian forging manufacturers as direct domestic suppliers to these institutions. Vinir’s AS9100D, NABL, and DGQA-aligned quality credentials position it squarely for this domestic defence supply chain opportunity.

OrganisationProductKey ForgingStandard
HAL (Bangalore, Nashik, Koraput)Tejas, Sukhoi-30MKI, Dhruv ALHTi-6Al-4V structural, Inconel 718 engineAS9100D, CEMILAC, DGAQA
Munitions India LtdArtillery shells, bombs, rocketsForged shell bodies, fuze componentsDGQA, BIS, Mil Spec
Armoured Vehicles Nigam (AVNL)Arjun MBT, BMP-II, wheeled AFVFinal drive gear blanks, torsion barsDGQA, NATO STANAG equiv
DRDO (DRDL, ARDE, TBRL)Agni, Brahmos, Pinaka MLRSMissile body rings, structural alloy steelDRDO classified specs
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)Akash, Nag, Konkurs missilesMissile structural rings, motor case fittingsDRDO, DGQA specs

HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) — India’s primary military aircraft manufacturer produces the Tejas LCA, licence-assembles the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and manufactures the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter. HAL’s AS9100D quality system and CEMILAC (Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification) oversight make it the most technically demanding Indian defence procurement customer for forging manufacturers. The Tejas LCA uses Ti-6Al-4V structural forgings for wing root fittings, fuselage frames, and landing gear components. HAL’s Bangalore Engine Division manufactures the Kaveri engine (GTX-35VS) using Inconel 718 compressor disc forgings that must meet equivalent quality to international aeroengine disc standards.

The conversion of the Ordnance Factory Board into seven Defence PSUs in 2021 created commercial corporate entities from what were formerly government departments enabling them to develop supply chains and qualify private sector vendors. Munitions India Limited (MIL) which produces artillery shells, bombs, and rocket motors requires forged shell body blanks, fuze body forgings, and rocket motor case structural forgings. DGQA (Directorate General of Quality Assurance, Ministry of Defence) governs quality specifications for Indian defence procurement DGQA registration is the Indian defence equivalent of NADCAP or DCMA qualification for US defence.

Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) produces the Arjun Mk-1A main battle tank, BMP-II infantry fighting vehicle, and is developing next-generation armoured vehicles. AVNL’s drivetrain forgings EN36 gear blanks, 45CrNiMoVA torsion bars are the same categories discussed in the US and German armoured vehicle forging blogs. As AVNL expands production to meet Indian Army requirements, domestic sourcing of these specialty alloy steel forgings from AS9100D-certified Indian manufacturers is a strategic priority.

DRDO’s missile programmes — Agni, Brahmos, Pinaka MLRS, and Pralay quasi-ballistic missile use Ti-6Al-4V ring-rolled body section forgings and high-strength alloy steel structural forgings that have historically been sourced from imported billet or produced at DRDO facilities. The Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative explicitly targets domestic sourcing of these forging categories creating an opening for AS9100D-certified private sector Indian forge shops with ring rolling capability.

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Vinir Engineering — Capability for this Market

  1. AS9100D full scope the quality management foundation for CEMILAC, DGAQA, and DRDO quality system assessment.
  2. Ti-6Al-4V STA forgings with alpha case control for HAL Tejas and Dhruv structural supply.
  3. Inconel 718 double ageing for HAL Engine Division aeroengine supply consideration.
  4. EN36 and 45CrNiMoVA torsion bar and gear blank forgings for AVNL armoured vehicle supply.
  5. Carbon and alloy steel shell body blank forgings for Munitions India Limited.
  6. Ti-6Al-4V ring rolling to Ø4,500mm for DRDO and BDL missile structural ring supply.
  7. DGQA vendor registration process underway.
  8. 100% UT and MT for all defence forgings.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.What is CEMILAC and how does it govern HAL’s forging supplier qualification?+–
CEMILAC (Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification) is India’s military airworthiness authority it certifies military aircraft designs and regulates the quality systems of organisations manufacturing military aviation components. For HAL’s forging suppliers, CEMILAC oversight means: manufacturers must demonstrate AS9100D compliance (CEMILAC recognises AS9100D as the quality management standard), CEMILAC auditors may conduct surveillance visits to critical component suppliers, and design changes to certified forging components require CEMILAC approval. CEMILAC’s role is equivalent to the EASA Part 21G and FAA Production Approval Authority in the civilian aerospace world.
2.What is the DGQA vendor registration process for Indian defence forging manufacturers?+–
DGQA operates a vendor registration system for suppliers of defence equipment and components to Indian armed forces and defence PSUs. Registration involves: application to the relevant DGQA Establishment (Pune for general ordnance, Bangalore for aerospace); submission of quality system documentation (ISO 9001 or AS9100D certificate, process capability evidence, NABL accreditation); technical assessment of manufacturing capability; and qualification test production of sample items. Successful registration is recorded in DGQA’s approved vendor list a prerequisite for receiving orders from Ordnance Factories, AVNL, and HAL’s maintenance divisions. DGQA registration typically takes 6–18 months.
3.What is India’s Positive Indigenisation List and how does it benefit Indian forging manufacturers?+–
The Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) is a Ministry of Defence initiative under Atmanirbhar Bharat that specifies defence items that can only be procured from Indian domestic manufacturers after a specified date imports of these items are banned. Over 310 items are on the current PIL lists, including many structural and propulsion forging categories for armoured vehicles, artillery systems, and military aircraft. For Indian forging manufacturers, PIL-listed items represent guaranteed domestic procurement volumes once a forging category is on the PIL list and imports are banned, the Indian armed forces and defence PSUs must source from qualified Indian manufacturers.
4.What is the Arjun MBT programme and what forging categories does AVNL require?+–
The Arjun Mk-1A is India’s main battle tank produced at Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi. The Arjun’s drivetrain uses final drive gear blank forgings (EN36 case-hardening steel) for the planetary gear reduction drives, and the suspension system uses torsion bar forgings (45CrNiMoVA spring steel, minimum yield strength 1,400 MPa). The Indian Army has an indent for 118 Arjun Mk-1A tanks plus ongoing torsion bar replacements across the existing fleet. AVNL’s procurement of these forgings from domestic AS9100D certified private sector manufacturers is a direct Atmanirbhar Bharat priority.
5.How do Vinir’s certifications align with Indian defence procurement requirements?+–
Vinir’s AS9100D certification (Bureau Veritas, OASIS verifiable) is the quality system standard that CEMILAC, DGAQA, and HAL all recognise as the aerospace and defence quality management baseline. Vinir’s IBR certification demonstrates the independent witness inspection discipline that DGQA inspection procedures require for pressure-containing components. Vinir’s NABL accreditation provides the independent laboratory testing that DGQA requires for material property verification DGQA does not accept supplier-generated test results without NABL or equivalent accreditation. The combination of AS9100D, IBR, and NABL creates the complete quality credentials package that Indian defence PSU procurement teams assess.