Premier Explosives, which produces solid propellants and critical components that power missiles, including the recent Agni-IV, has expanded its production facilities.
A new expansion project, with an investment of Rs 10 crore has been added to its existing manufacturing unit at Peddakandukuru in Nalgonda district of Andhra Pradesh. It will cater to the needs of tactical missiles like the Nag, Astra, Akash, and Pinaka.
Niche offering
Premier Explosives, the traditional private sector manufacturer of explosives for mining and commercial sectors, has specialised in meeting some of the niche demands of India's strategic sector — defence and space. The new unit was inaugurated by Mr Avinash Chander, Chief Controller, R&D (Missiles and Strategic Systems), Defence Research and Development Organisation.
Mr A.N. Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of Premier Explosives said the company has been producing solid propellants since 2003. The present facility for tactical missiles was an attempt to help the country reach self-reliance in defence supplies.
In the successful November launch of Agni-IV (beyond 3,500-km range intermediate range ballistic missile), Premier Explosives made the second of the two stage rocket motors along with the two igniters, he told Business Line .
Ms Tessy Thomas, Project Director of Agni-IV said the igniters and Daisy-2 motor produced by Premier met all the quality parameters in static test as well as the flight test.
Mr Avinash Chander said, “Premier has demonstrated over time that it is a reliable private partner with its consistent quality of products and technical ability in various projects undertaken by the Advanced Systems Laboratory and the DRDO.”
Premier Explosives has already supplied critical components like the ‘smoke less' composition (which helps an aircraft avoid detection after the launch of the missile) for the Astra missile.