Nagpur based industrialist and founder-chairman of solar industries. Satyanarayan Nuwal, received the prestigious Padma Shri award from Droupadi Murmu in recognition of his significant contribution to strengthening India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours, was conferred under the Trade and Industry category as part of the Padma Awards 2026 announced on the eve of Republic Day.Under Nuwal’s leadership, Nagpur-headquartered Solar Group has emerged as one of India’s leading private-sector defence manufacturers, playing a key role in the country’s push for self-reliance in defence production under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
The company diversified into military-grade explosives and ammunition manufacturing in 2010 and has since expanded into drones, anti-drone systems, rocket systems and advanced defence technologies.Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), a group company, supplied critical systems including Pinaka rocket components, multi-mode hand grenades and BrahMos missile boosters.
The company’s indigenous loitering munition “Nagastra” was also acknowledged for its precision capabilities during defence operations.
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