Diversified conglomerate Punj Lloyd and its JV Partner, Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) recently inaugurated the country's first Private Sector Small Arms Manufacturing Plant at Malanpur in Madhya Pradesh. The joint venture company, Punj Lloyd Raksha Systems (PLR) will be manufacturing small arms for the Indian Defence Forces and also for export.

Speaking on the occasion, Samy Katsav, Chairman, SK Group said, "We are indeed fortunate to have in Punj Lloyd a reliable and knowledgeable partner. It is after a lot of due diligence in the Indian market that we identified Punj Lloyd for this partnership.

"Through this collaboration, we offer the combination of battle proven combat technology of IWI and the proficiency of a renowned Indian business partner.  I am extremely upbeat about the opportunities in the sector and confident of contributing to the Make in India programme.

Punj Lloyd Chairman, Atul Punj said, "This is the first opportunity for the country to get its own ‘Made in India' Small Arms.The need of the hour is to replace the country's defence weapons with sophisticated and high precision products and Punj Lloyd Raksha Systems is the answer to the country's immediate need."

Further Punj said, "These are tried and tested battle proven products already being used within the country. It is the first time in India that we are coming together with the complete technology to manufacture these products as ‘Made in India'."

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