OCTOBER 20268Defense manufacturing in India is expanding across specialized technology segments, with the Ministry of Defense signing contracts worth Rs 4,106 crore for an Indian Air Force communication satellite and heavyweight torpedoes for the Indian Navy. The agreements involve Bengaluru-based NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).While the Rs 2,563 crore GSAT-7C contract targets secure, dedicated military communications, the Rs 1,543 crore Varunastra procurement supports the Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities. They also reinforce the government's focus on developing critical military capabilities through indigenous design, development and manufacturing. Electric trucks in India are gaining traction as industrial companies explore cleaner freight solutions. Jindal Stainless has deployed 10 electric trucks to transport finished goods from its Jajpur plant in Odisha to Kharagpur and Kolkata in West Bengal. The company also operates 80 LNG trucks and is introducing CNG vehicles for other logistics operations.Managing Director Abhyuday Jindal said the company's decarbonisation efforts extend beyond manufacturing plants to supply-chain transportation. The deployment indicates rising interest in electric commercial vehicles; however, broader adoption depends on charging infrastructure, performance and operating costs. The company estimates its combined electric, LNG and CNG initiatives could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 71 tons monthly. FMCG major Nestlé India Ltd. reported strong profit and revenue growth in the September quarter. However, the nestle India Q2 results failed to prevent a sharp fall in its share price on Thursday. The company posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 1,009.61 crore for Q2 FY27, up 35.85% year-on-year (YoY) from Rs 743.17 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. Revenue from operations rose 20.28% to Rs 6,788.34 crore from Rs 5,643.61 crore a year earlier. Despite the growth, Nestlé India shares fell as much as 9% to an intraday low of Rs 1,259.70 on the BSE. The stock had closed at Rs 1,384.15 in the previous session. The Bharat Small Reactor program is emerging as an important part of India's strategy to expand nuclear power for energy-intensive industries. Discussions at the 20th India Energy Summit have brought attention to the practical requirements for launching the program, including industrial participation, specialized manufacturing capabilities and project execution.The initiative envisages 220 MW pressurized heavy water reactors that industries could use to meet their captive electricity requirements. However, moving from initial interest to committed projects remains a crucial step in determining how quickly the model can be adopted across Indian industry. DEFENSE MANUFACTURING: INSIDE NSIL AND BDL RS 4,106 CR DEALSBHARAT SMALL REACTOR PROGRAM: CAN INDUSTRY DRIVE GROWTH?JINDAL STAINLESS DEPLOYS 10 ELECTRIC TRUCKS IN INDIANESTLE INDIA Q2 RESULTS: PROFIT SOARS 36%, SHARES FALL 9%TOP STORIESOCTOBER 20268
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