RAJKOT: Engineering and auto parts manufacturing hub Rajkot will be home to an arms factory by the end of the next financial year. City-based Raspian Enterprise Pvt Ltd has bought land in Satda village on Kuvadva Road about 25km from Rajkot to begin assembly and manufacturing of weapons like revolvers, pistols, assault rifles and anti-aircraft guns.
Chairman and managing director (CMD) of Raspian, Priti Patel said that her company has got the licence for assembly and manufacturing of weapons for Rajkot district from union defence and home ministry.
"It is less than a year since we got the licences to make weapons in Rajkot. We are in the advanced stage of commencing assembly and manufacturing of weapons and we are planning to start commercial production as soon as possible," told TOI. Patel is a native of Rajkot but is based in Mumbai. She has businesses in Rajkot as well as Mumbai. Her company has licences to manufacture revolvers, pistols, assault rifles and anti-aircraft guns. They can sell these weapons commercially to civilian licence holders, law enforcement agencies like police, CRPF, SRPF, army and others.
Patel's company has collaborations for weapon technology with arms manufacturers across the world. She said that her company has a dedicated research and development unit that will be engaged in research for new technology in weapon development.
Patel had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during the 2019 Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit for this arms factory and pledged an initial investment of Rs 50 crore.
Patel has 25 years of experience in engineering, procurement and construction projects in India, SAARC and Gulf countries.
