Piyush Goyal Meets Saab India Chief on Defence Manufacturing

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal meets Saab India chief Ola Rignell to discuss defence manufacturing, supply-chain development, technology partnerships and greater indigenisation of defence production in India.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met Saab India Chairman and Managing Director Ola Rignell to discuss opportunities to strengthen defence manufacturing, supply chains and indigenisation in India.

The meeting focused on expanding Saab’s engagement with India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and creating stronger linkages with domestic suppliers. The discussions come as India continues to promote greater self-reliance in defence production and encourage global defence companies to establish manufacturing and technology capabilities in the country.

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Saab has been expanding its industrial footprint in India through manufacturing, engineering and partnerships with Indian companies. The Swedish defence major is establishing a manufacturing facility for the Carl-Gustaf M4 shoulder-launched weapon system in Jhajjar, Haryana. The facility is expected to become Saab’s first Carl-Gustaf manufacturing unit outside Sweden and is intended to integrate Indian suppliers into the company’s global supply chain.

The company also operates an engineering centre in Hyderabad focused on software engineering, electronic systems, industrial engineering and mechanical design. Saab says the centre will contribute to its global product development activities while strengthening India’s role in its international engineering and research network.

The discussions with Goyal also come amid the government’s broader push to expand domestic defence production and reduce dependence on imported military equipment and components. According to the Ministry of Defence, India’s defence production reached a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, while the government has set a target of ₹3 lakh crore in annual defence production and ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029.

India has also expanded opportunities for private companies and foreign investors in the sector. The government has increased the foreign direct investment limit in defence to 74% through the automatic route and up to 100% through the government route. It has simultaneously introduced indigenisation initiatives and expanded platforms that connect domestic manufacturers with defence procurement opportunities.

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Saab’s India operations cover aerospace, land, naval and electronic defence capabilities. The company has also highlighted its interest in supporting India’s Make in India objectives through technology transfer, local manufacturing and partnerships with Indian industry.

The meeting between Goyal and Rignell underlines the government’s focus on building a resilient domestic defence supply chain while encouraging international defence companies to expand manufacturing, engineering and technology activities in India.