How KDAIL reinvented itself for defence leadership

With strong vision and leadership, Krishna Defence & Allied Industries Limited is emerging as a key enabler for defence exports and autonomy.

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India's march toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing has opened new avenues for ambitious entrepreneurs who dare to think beyond conventional industry boundaries.

Among them is Ankur Shah, Managing Director of Krishna Defence & Allied Industries Limited (KDAIL), a first-generation entrepreneur and materials engineer who has redefined his company's trajectory.

What began as a dairy equipment manufacturer has today evolved into a strategic partner of the Indian Navy, supplying over 10,000 MT of special steel for critical defence platforms and building multiyear alliances with leading defence PSUs.

Under Shah's leadership, KDAIL has expanded its capabilities in advanced metallurgy, CNC machining and R&D for defence-grade materials, while also achieving certifications like DNV and ABS for marine steel. His vision has not only transformed KDAIL into a design-first, systems-driven enterprise but also positioned it as a pioneer in India's push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence.

What were the primary motivations and challenges behind KDAIL's strategic shift into defence manufacturing?

KDAIL's leap into defence manufacturing was an extension of our vision, enabling us to contribute positively to India's self-reliance and national security through high-impact engineering activity. With the increasing emphasis on indigenisation through Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, we recognised the need for critical mission components and materials to be manufactured domestically to a world-class standard.

Our transition was not just tactical; it was purpose-led. The defence sector demands precision, compliance and innovation. KDAIL had to commit significant resources to advanced metallurgy, heat treatment, CNC machining, and quality infrastructure at our Baroda facility. We also established an R&D team dedicated to defence-specific material sciences, prototyping and compliance practices.