Raghu Vamsi Group has appointed former Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd. chairman and managing director S.K. Jha as CEO of its Advanced Materials Division, placing him in charge of a planned nickel-based superalloy manufacturing facility in Telangana.
The Hyderabad-based group, which focuses on precision aerospace and defence manufacturing, said the appointment would support the development of an integrated advanced-materials business. Commercial production at the facility is expected to begin in January 2028, according to the company.
Jha has more than three decades of experience in metallurgy, advanced materials, technology development and strategic manufacturing. In his new role, he will oversee the division and the proposed facility, which is intended to bring several stages of production under one roof.
The planned manufacturing chain will include vacuum melting, forging, heat treatment, vacuum casting, powder metallurgy and precision forming. The facility is expected to produce round bars, wires, forgings, castings, tungsten carbide powders and other specialised products, with production capacity described by the group in terms of tonnes.
Raghu Vamsi announced plans for the facility in Telangana at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, the company said. The group has presented the project as part of a strategy to increase vertical integration and strengthen domestic capabilities in strategic materials.
Nickel-based superalloys are used in applications that require materials to withstand high temperatures and demanding operating conditions. The company identified aero engines, defence systems, spacecraft, gas turbines and nuclear power systems as key areas in which the materials are critical.
The project places advanced-materials production within Telangana’s wider industrial and manufacturing landscape, although the company’s announcement did not provide details of the facility’s investment size, exact location, land requirement, employment potential or planned output by product category. It also did not specify the approvals, construction milestones or supply agreements required before commercial production begins.
Jha said India had a strong opportunity to build greater self-reliance in strategic materials, particularly those critical to aerospace, defence and space. He added that Raghu Vamsi had the ambition and investment to build this capability at scale and that he looked forward to bringing his experience to the programme.
Raghu Vamsi Group founder and managing director Vamsi Vikas Ganesula said Jha brought deep experience across some of the country’s important programmes and would lead the advanced-materials business. The company’s next stated milestone is the start of commercial production in January 2028.
