In a world where defense manufacturing is often dominated by legacy players and government contracts, one young entrepreneur is rewriting the rules, armed with ambition, a three-phase strategy, and a whole lot of grit. Meet Sahil Luthra, the 34-year-old founder of Vijayan Trishul Defence Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (VTDS), a Delhi-based startup aiming to become India’s go-to name in small arms, ammunition, and advanced defense tech.
And no, this isn’t your typical “garage-to-glory” startup story. It’s more like “corridor-to-combat-ready”, with a 20-hectare plot in the UP Defence Industrial Corridor and a vision that’s as bold as it is battle-tested.
From Legacy to Launch: The Luthra Lineage
Sahil Luthra didn’t just stumble into defense manufacturing. He was raised in a household where entrepreneurship was practically a family tradition. His father, the late Karan Luthra, was famously dubbed the “Lottery King of India” in the ’70s and ’80s and later pivoted into land banking.
Watching his father navigate industries with ease taught Sahil two things: adaptability is everything, and opportunity often hides behind complexity. After years in land development and investment, Sahil decided to take on a sector that’s as complex as it is critical, defense.
In 2024, he co-founded VTDS with his wife and co-director, Prikansha Luthra, with a mission to make India self-reliant in defense manufacturing.
The Mission: Make in India, But Make It Tactical
VTDS isn’t just another defense supplier. It’s a pure-play manufacturer focused on building everything from bullets to bomb blankets, with zero external funding and 100% family ownership.
Their mission? To support the Indian Armed Forces, CAPFs, State Police, and MHA with world-class, Indigenous defence solutions, and eventually, to become a global supplier of critical military hardware.
The Three-Phase Plan: From Small Arms to Big Impact
Sahil’s strategy is as structured as a military drill. VTDS is rolling out its operations in three ambitious phases:
Phase 1️⃣: Small-Caliber Ammunition
– 5.56mm, 7.62mm, and 9mm rounds (NATO and Russian standards)
– Customers: Indian Armed Forces, CAPFs, State Police, MHA, and international defense clients
– Facility: 20-hectare plant in Jhansi, UP Defence Corridor
– Production begins by June 2026
Phase 2️⃣: Small Arms Manufacturing
– Joint Ventures and Technology Transfers (TOTs) with global manufacturers
– Focus on rifles, carbines, and infantry weapons
– Goal: Reduce India’s reliance on imports
Phase 3️⃣: Medium & Large-Caliber Ammunition
– 81mm mortar shells and 155mm artillery rounds
– Addresses the global shortage of 155mm shells
– Aims to become a key global supplier
Built in Jhansi, Designed for the World
VTDS’s manufacturing unit is being built in the Jhansi node of the UP Defence Industrial Corridor. The facility will feature:
– Robotics and AI-driven quality control
– Precision-engineering machinery
– A workforce of 300+ direct employees
– Strategic partnerships with global defense firms
And yes, they’re hiring women for packaging roles, because empowerment looks good in uniform too.
What They’re Building (Besides a Legacy)
VTDS’s product lineup reads like a Call of Duty loadout, but IRL:
– Armoured Vehicles for troop transport
– Bulletproof Jackets and VIP Shields for personal protection
– Bomb Blankets to contain explosive threats
– Aerospace Drones for surveillance and tactical ops
– Anti-drone systems to neutralize aerial threats
– Fighter Jet & Helicopter Parts for air superiority
– Warship Components for Naval Dominance
If it moves, flies, or explodes, they’re working on it.
Sahil Speaks: On Risk, Regulation, and Revolution
In a recent interview, Sahil shared what drives him:
> “Defence isn’t just a business, it’s a responsibility. We’re not here to participate. We’re here to lead.”
He emphasized the need for modular innovation, policy alignment, and global partnerships to keep India competitive in a rapidly evolving defense landscape.
And yes, he’s already in talks with firms from the U.S., Israel, and Europe for tech transfers and joint ventures.
Challenges? Oh, Plenty.
Building a defense startup in India isn’t exactly plug-and-play. VTDS has had to navigate:
– Regulatory red tape
– Talent shortages
– Infrastructure delays
– Mindset shifts in a traditionally public-sector-dominated space
But Sahil’s not sweating it. “Adaptability is our compass,” he says. “We’re here for the long haul.”
Meet the Leadership Team
Behind VTDS is a powerhouse team of defense veterans and policy experts:
– Lt Gen Kamal Jit Singh (Retd.) – Strategic Advisor
– G.R. Aloria (IAS Retd.) – Government Affairs
– Karnal Singh (IPS Retd.) – Security & Compliance
– Prikansha Luthra – Co-Director and operations lead
Together, they bring decades of experience and a shared vision of building India’s next defense giant.
In Memory of a Visionary
VTDS is also a tribute to Late Shri Karan Luthra, whose entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for this venture. His legacy lives on in every bullet, every blueprint, and every bold move the company makes.
🏆 Recognition & Respect
Despite being less than a year old, VTDS is already making waves:
– Recognized by the UP Government as a key investor in the Defence Corridor
– Featured at the UP International Trade Show
– Applauded for its women empowerment initiatives in manufacturing
And they’re just getting started.
Final Thoughts: Defence, But Make It Disruptive
Vijayan Trishul Defence Solutions isn’t just building weapons, it’s building India’s future in defense. With a clear roadmap, a fearless founder, and a factory rising in Jhansi, VTDS is poised to become a game-changer in global security.
So the next time someone says “India can’t build world-class defense tech,” just point them to Sahil Luthra’s blueprint, and maybe hand them a DeX-level mic to drop.
