[100 Emerging Women Leaders] How Priyanka Singhal broke barriers in defence tech

Priyanka Singhal grew up in a business family in Amritsar. She learned the ropes of the business early on at her father’s company, Charmachan Hospitality LLP, which was involved in construction and hospitality.

She did her schooling at Sacred Heart School, Dalhousie, and later pursued a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Amritsar, driven by a strong inclination towards technology and innovation. 

"I always had in mind that because I was from a business family, and my father was a role model for me, I wanted to generate more jobs, just like he did," Singhal recalls. However, a career in the defence sector was not initially on her radar.

The turning point

Her trajectory took a dramatic turn during the final months of her engineering studies. Amidst the hunt for internships, a challenge from a peer prompted her to apply to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Despite her initial doubts, Singhal was selected as one of the few interns from a pool of over a hundred candidates.

At DRDO, she was exposed to cutting-edge technologies, including warhead electronics, explosive initiation systems, and real-time field trials. "The experience of watching the first test explosion was mesmerising," she shares. This experience ignited a passion that would shape her future career.

Following her internship, Singhal briefly pursued a different path, preparing for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exams with the hope of influencing defence policies. 

She, however, decided to leverage her technical expertise and business acumen to carve her niche in the defence sector.

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Birth of Ammunic Systems

In 2019, Singhal founded Ammunic Systems, originally named Tech Wave Solutions, focusing on defence technologies. The company's mission aligned perfectly with the Indian government's Make in India initiative, aiming to reduce reliance on imported munitions. Singhal's vision was clear—to develop indigenous technologies that could meet the evolving needs of the Indian Armed Forces.

One of the company's landmark achievements was the development of India's first fully indigenous electronic fusing system for underwater munitions targeting submarines. 

Funding and market acceptance

Starting a defence technology company posed unique challenges, especially in securing funding and gaining market acceptance. 

Singhal bootstrapped her venture using her savings, determined to build a solid foundation without external financial dependencies. Early projects included trading electronic components and undertaking college projects to generate revenue. Gradually, Ammunic Systems began securing orders from various defence agencies, including the Army, DRDO, and the Navy.

Despite initial scepticism from the industry, Singhal persisted. In the financial year 2024-25, Ammunic Systems is projecting a revenue of Rs 40 crore, with a company valuation rising to Rs 250 crore.

To make Ammunic Systems and the Indian defence sector self-sufficient and globally competitive, Singhal emphasises the importance of indigenous technology development. 

"We need to be prepared," she asserts, "not because we want war, but to safeguard our territories and ensure that other countries do not undermine us."

Championing women in defence

Singhal says alongside technological innovation, Ammunic Systems has been determined to break gender barriers in what is a traditionally male-dominated field. Recognising the lack of female representation in defence, Singhal made it a priority to create a women-inclusive workforce. "I always had a vision that I'll try to keep 50% of my workforce as women," she says.

She also actively hires and trains female interns, ensuring they gain hands-on experience with defence technologies.

Understanding the unique challenges women face, especially balancing professional and personal responsibilities, Singhal fosters a flexible work culture. She has also up a small play area in her office for her two-year-old son and to support working mothers.