MSA Global to Supply Over 50,000 Ice Axes and Shovels to Indian Army, Achieves Import Independence

MSA Global Technology & Engineering Pvt Ltd, based in Bengaluru, has secured a significant contract with the Indian Army to supply over 50,000 ice axes and shovels. This move represents a major step towards the complete indigenization of high-altitude mountaineering equipment, marking the end of imports for these essential tools for the first time.

Established in 2015, MSA Global is headquartered in Delhi and operates advanced manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru. The company specializes in precision engineering solutions tailored to the aerospace and defense sectors. Its state-of-the-art production facility meets the Indian Army's stringent requirements for durable and reliable equipment designed for operation in extreme conditions.

The announcement of this contract was made by MSA Global on LinkedIn in early December 2025, showcasing the company’s growing presence in the defense manufacturing sector. Previously, MSA Global gained acclaim for its development of all-metal barrels for the GRAD BM-21 rocket launcher system, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science, underscoring its expanding technological expertise.

Ice axes and shovels are crucial for Army units stationed in high-altitude areas, especially along the Line of Actual Control with China. In regions like Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, these tools are vital for snow clearance, trench digging, maneuvering on icy slopes, and ensuring the safety of troops in sub-zero temperatures.

Historically, the Army imported much of its specialized clothing and mountaineering equipment (SCME). However, a push for indigenization has led to 97 percent self-reliance across 55 of 57 SCME items by late 2025, with trials underway for the remaining items. The contract with MSA Global is a clear sign of this shift.

This agreement aligns with India's Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, spearheaded by the Ministry of Defence, which have significantly reduced dependency on imports for ammunition, equipment, and soldier gear. In recent years, the Army has decreased its reliance on imported ammunition from nearly 40 percent to below 10 percent, with similar progress now evident in non-lethal equipment.

Delivering over 50,000 units will significantly bolster the stockpiles of multiple regiments stationed in high-altitude areas, facilitating faster replenishment, better customization for Indian landscapes, and minimizing exposure to global supply chain disruptions amid escalating border tensions.

The contract also enhances Bengaluru’s defense manufacturing sector, already hosting major companies like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, by encouraging job creation, MSME participation, and technology transfer. Economically, indigenization conserves foreign exchange and reduces unit costs through domestic economies of scale.

With this development, MSA Global is poised to become a vital private-sector partner in India's defense industrial base, with potential future prospects in areas such as artillery components, UAV subsystems, and other high-precision military hardware, as the Army aims for complete self-reliance by 2026.