With over 115 years of engineering mastery, Walchandnagar Industries Ltd. (WIL) stands tall as a pioneering force in aerospace, defence, nuclear, and heavy engineering.
From powering India’s earliest space missions with ISRO to delivering mission-critical components for Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan, WIL has consistently redefined the benchmarks of precision, reliability, and innovation.
Anchored in its century-old heritage, yet driven by cutting-edge digitalization and sustainability, WIL continues to push boundaries—strengthening India’s strategic capabilities while expanding its global footprint, discovers Engineering Review in an interaction with Chirag C. Doshi, Managing Director & CEO, WIL. Excerpts from an interview:
• Walchandnagar Industries has a century-old legacy of engineering excellence. How has this legacy shaped the company’s current leadership in aerospace and heavy engineering?
WIL’s legacy is built on over 115 years of pioneering engineering solutions across diverse sectors.
This foundation of precision manufacturing, complex project execution, and multidisciplinary expertise has naturally evolved into making us a leading player in
Aerospace, Defense, Nuclear, Industrial & Marine Gear Boxes and Sugar Centrifugals.The trust and credibility earned over decades have enabled us to take on highly critical, high-stakes projects where reliability is non-negotiable.
Our heritage is not just history; it continues to drive our commitment to innovation and our readiness to tackle the challenges of tomorrow
• WIL has been closely associated with ISRO since 1973. Could you walk us through the key milestones of this collaboration and what it has meant for the company’s growth and credibility?
Our association with ISRO began in 1973 with the supply of critical components for India’s early space programs.
Over the decades, we have contributed hardware to every major launch vehicle—SLV, PSLV, GSLV & LVM3.
WIL has been a leading supplier to ISRO in the supply of Solid Stage Propulsion Hardware.
We have significantly contributed to critical space missions such as Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan.
These collaborations have strengthened our technical expertise, deepened our culture of quality, and enhanced our reputation as a trusted partner in the nation’s space journey.
Each milestone has expanded our capabilities and reinforced our role in projects where performance and reliability are paramount.
• What are some of the unique engineering capabilities that enable WIL to deliver critical components for complex missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan?
Our strength lies in combining advanced material science, precision machining, and complex fabrication within a single integrated facility. We work with aerospace-grade alloys, specialized welding techniques, and achieve micron-level tolerances over large dimensions.
In-house testing facilities—including hydrostatic, radiographic, ultrasonic, and other non-destructive methods—ensure every component meets the most stringent mission requirements.
This end-to-end capability allows us to deliver flight-critical hardwares.
•How does WIL ensure quality and precision when dealing with aerospace-grade materials and manufacturing processes involving intricate geometries and tight tolerances?
Quality at WIL is driven by a rigorous system supported by ISO and NABL certifications, with AS9100D certification currently in process.
We employ advanced machining, welding, and inspection systems, backed by comprehensive digital traceability.
Every stage—from raw material verification to final acceptance—is governed by stringent protocols.
Our skilled teams undergo continuous training to handle complex geometries and demanding tolerances, ensuring that each component meets exacting aerospace standards.
• Your contributions to the defence sector, including missile programs and naval propulsion systems, are noteworthy. How do these demanding projects push the boundaries of your technical expertise?
In the defence sector, WIL is part of 13 missile programs including Akash, Astra, QRSAM, Agni, and VLSRSAM, supplying rocket motor casings, sub-assemblies, and launch systems such as airborne, road-mobile, and TASL. For the Navy,
we have delivered missile launchers, containers, and torpedo capsules, and have supported both nuclear and diesel submarine programs with critical assemblies like gearboxes, nuclear plant equipment, hull plates, cupolas, and gas transfer bottles.
These highly demanding programs require us to work at the limits of materials technology, precision machining, and large-scale fabrication. Each project pushes us to adopt new processes, innovate continuously, and refine our engineering expertise to meet the stringent performance and reliability requirements of India’s defence sector.
• Heavy engineering in nuclear and cement continues to be a strong part of your portfolio. How do you balance these sectors with the rapidly evolving demands of aerospace?
We maintain a balance by leveraging shared capabilities—such as precision fabrication, large-scale machining, and strict quality assurance—across sectors.This cross-sectoral
expertise allows us to respond quickly to aerospace demands while sustaining our established positions
in nuclear and cement.Strategic planning, resource allocation, and targeted investments ensure that each business area receives the attention and innovation it requires.
• Can you share insights into your manufacturing infrastructure and the kind of investments WIL has made to maintain a globally competitive edge?
WIL operates an integrated manufacturing campus designed for end-to-end execution of large, complex, and precision-critical hardware. Our infrastructure brings heavy fabrication,
precision machining, heat treatment, assembly, and testing under one roof.Recent investments have focused on state-of-the-art machineries, precision tooling and fixturing for repeatability, metrology upgrades, etc. to increase the production capacity and capability.
These upgrades, coupled with process discipline and skilled workforce, enable us to deliver consistent quality, tighter tolerances, and reliable schedules for aerospace, defense, and nuclear programs.
• WIL has several ‘firsts’ to its credit, such as exporting complete turnkey projects and manufacturing large-scale telescopic and nuclear components. What drives this spirit of innovation and risk-taking?
Innovation at WIL is fuelled by a willingness to take on complex challenges and deliver solutions that set new benchmarks. Whether it is designing a first-of-its-kind
system, scaling up to unprecedented sizes, or meeting exceptional performance parameters, our teams approach each project with a problem-solving mindset. This culture—backed by strong technical fundamentals and leadership support—has helped us achieve many industry firsts over the years.
• What role do sustainability and digitalization play in WIL’s present and future projects, especially in the context of aerospace and heavy engineering?
Sustainability and digitalization are becoming increasingly important in how we operate and deliver projects.On the sustainability front, we are adopting energy-efficient manufacturing processes, reducing material wastage through precision machining and nesting optimisation, and strengthening waste management practices.
In terms of digitalization, our focus is on project management and execution. We are deploying digital tools for planning, scheduling, and progress monitoring, which provide greater visibility across functions and improve on-time delivery performance.
Enhanced data traceability, documentation management, and workflow tracking have also helped us meet the stringent compliance requirements of aerospace and defence programs. These initiatives are steadily building the foundation for more advanced digital practices in the future
•Looking ahead, what are the strategic focus areas for WIL—both in terms of technological advancements and global market expansion?
As WIL looks to the future, the company is sharpening its focus on sectors where precision and reliability are critical. In aerospace and defence, new investments in composites, advanced machining, and specialised welding are preparing WIL for the next generation of national programs.
With AS9100D certification underway, its systems are also aligning with global aerospace benchmarks.Defense will remain a major growth driver, with deeper participation in missile programs, naval systems, and artillery platforms.Nuclear and Sugar Centrifugals will continue as strong pillars, complemented by a renewed thrust on exports.Markets in the USA, Europe and Southeast Asia are emerging as natural extensions of WIL’s proven capability in large, complex engineering projects.
Blending its century-old heritage with modern technologies and international collaborations, WIL is charting a course of sustainable growth—one that ensures its continued role in both India’s strategic ambitions and global engineering opportunities.