Durgapur: Reinforcing its strategic role in India’s defence infrastructure, the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) organized the SAIL – Defence Conclave 2025 at its Alloy Steels Plant (ASP) in Durgapur. The event served as a significant platform to deepen collaboration between SAIL and Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), while also advancing discussions on material innovation, indigenisation, and import substitution within the country’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
As a key domestic producer of specialized defence-grade steel, SAIL has been an essential contributor to India’s defence indigenisation drive. The conclave aligned with the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, focusing on themes of self-reliance, indigenous capability development, and minimizing foreign dependency in defence materials.
The conclave witnessed participation from senior representatives of prominent defence establishments, including ordnance factories and various DPSUs. These interactions provided a fertile ground for exploring evolving material requirements, streamlining supply chains, and ensuring the highest standards in defence-grade steel production.
Addressing the gathering, Mr V.S. Chakravarthy, Director (Commercial), and Mr Alok Verma, Director In-Charge of Rourkela Steel Plant (with additional charge of Durgapur and Burnpur Steel Plants), emphasized SAIL’s unwavering commitment to meeting the strategic needs of the defence sector. The leadership highlighted how SAIL is ramping up its capabilities and production volumes to cater to both current and future requirements of the armed forces.
Key topics of discussion included-
- Customization of material specifications to suit emerging defence technologies
- Expanding the use of indigenous materials in advanced weapon systems
- Strengthening the domestic supply chain to reduce reliance on imports
The conclave concluded with a renewed commitment to building synergy between the public sector steel industry and India’s growing defence manufacturing needs. It reaffirmed SAIL’s status as a trusted strategic partner in national security, poised to play a larger role in India’s journey towards self-reliance in critical sectors.
About SAIL
SAIL, or Steel Authority of India Ltd, is an Indian public sector steel manufacturing corporation headquartered in New Delhi. It’s one of India’s largest steel manufacturers and a “Maharatna” (a top-tier Public Sector Enterprise). SAIL manages several integrated and special steel plants across India, including those in Bhilai, Rourkela, Durgapur, Bokaro, and Burnpur. It is the largest government-owned steel producer in India, with an annual production capacity of 18.29 million metric tons.
