Adani Enterprises has announced plans to invest ₹1.8 lakh crore in defence manufacturing through its subsidiary Adani Defence & Aerospace, marking a significant commitment to strengthening India's indigenous military capabilities. The massive investment will focus on unmanned and autonomous systems, advanced guided weapons, and AI-enabled multi-domain operations as the conglomerate positions itself as a key player in India's future warfare capabilities.

Strategic Investment Areas

The investment will target several critical defence technology areas that represent the future of modern warfare. The company plans to focus on unmanned and autonomous systems, advanced guided weapons, sensors and electronics, AI-enabled multi-domain operations, and scaled-up maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and training infrastructure.

Autonomous Systems Capabilities

Autonomous systems across air, sea and land domains represent unmanned platforms that use sensors, software and secure networks to operate with minimal human intervention, expanding military reach while reducing risk to personnel. In the air domain, these include unmanned aerial vehicles that conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, communications relay and precision-support missions with long endurance.

At sea, unmanned surface and underwater vehicles perform tasks such as maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures over wide areas. On land, unmanned ground vehicles support logistics, reconnaissance, explosive ordnance disposal and perimeter security operations.

Recent Achievements and Deployments

Adani Defence & Aerospace has transitioned from extended planning cycles to rapid deployment, with some of its military hardware being used in Operation Sindoor. The company has achieved several significant milestones across its product portfolio.

Market Position and Capabilities

Adani Defence & Aerospace has emerged as India's largest integrated private-sector defence player, with comprehensive capabilities spanning multiple domains. The company's portfolio includes unmanned aerial and underwater systems, counter-UAS solutions, guided weapons and loitering munitions, small arms and ammunition, aircraft MRO, simulator-driven training and airborne warning and control systems (AWACS).

The company's strategic acquisitions have strengthened its market position significantly. Integration of Air Works and Indamer created a major defence-civil MRO platform, while the acquisition of FSTC strengthened pilot and engineering training capabilities. The entry into AWACS platforms has positioned the company as the sole private-sector player in this critical segment.

Future Expansion Plans

The company has outlined ambitious expansion plans across multiple defence technology domains. These plans include scaling autonomous systems across air, sea and land domains, expanding precision-strike capabilities, deepening MRO and training footprint, and advancing AI-enabled, multi-domain operational systems in line with India's planned defence investment trajectory.

Adani Defence & Aerospace has embedded sustainability principles through digital twins, predictive maintenance and modular design approaches. Higher indigenous sourcing has strengthened supply-chain resilience, supporting the government's Make in India initiative in the defence sector.

Adani Enterprises Chairman Gautam Adani inaugurated the Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in Baramati, Pune district, with NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar praising the industrialist's entrepreneurial journey as an inspiration for hardworking youth across the nation.

Pawar's Tribute to Adani's Success Story

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Sharad Pawar highlighted Adani's remarkable transformation from humble beginnings to national prominence. "Adani came from the drought-prone district of Banaskantha in Gujarat, and he arrived in Mumbai and started from scratch, and today, his business is spread across 23 states," Pawar observed.

Pawar emphasized that "Adani's journey is an inspiration to hardworking youth who dream big," positioning the industrialist's success as a testament to determination and vision.

Mutual Respect and Long-Standing Relationship

Describing Sharad Pawar as his mentor, Adani acknowledged the veteran politician's influence on his journey. "I have been blessed to know Sharad Pawar-ji for more than three decades," Adani said. "He has been a mentor to me. He shaped the nation's agricultural policy, and leaders like him remind us that politics is not only about slogans."

Adani praised Pawar for blending ground realities with the national agenda, stating that "Baramati is a symbol of transformation and limitless potential made possible due to his visionary leadership."

High-Profile Attendance and Family Presence

The inauguration witnessed significant political representation with multiple members of the Pawar family in attendance. Baramati MP Supriya Sule, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, his wife and Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar, and other extended Pawar family members participated in the ceremony.

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar and Yugendra Pawar, who serves as treasurer of Vidya Pratisthan, were also present, highlighting the institutional significance of the event.

Centre Details and Strategic Vision

The centre has been established under Vidya Pratishthan, the educational institute governed by the Pawar family, representing a strategic investment in artificial intelligence education and research capabilities funded by the Adani Group.

This initiative builds upon Adani's previous engagement with Baramati, having visited in 2022 to attend the inauguration of the Science and Innovation Activity Centre in the town. The relationship between Pawar and Adani spans nearly two decades, demonstrating sustained collaboration in educational and developmental initiatives.