By Sangeeta Saxena

New Delhi. 25 April 2025. It was a story which began in 1970 in Bologna, Italy and in the last 55 years GT Line has built a global reputation for producing high-performance cases trusted by professionals in the most demanding environments. Its EXPLORER CASES are specifically engineered to meet the rigorous standards of military operations—offering waterproof, dustproof, and shock-resistant protection for sensitive equipment and tactical gear.

At the heart of any defence operation lies not only the weaponry and strategy but also the gear that protects critical tools and technology. At Milipol India 2025, ADU sat down with Davide Segatori, Sales Manager of GT Line, a leading Italian manufacturer of rugged waterproof and technical cases, to explore the company’s latest collaboration with India’s Nilkamal Ltd. In a rapidly evolving security landscape, where equipment protection is vital, this partnership signals a timely and strategic move to serve India’s burgeoning defence and homeland security markets.

ADU. We’re meeting here at Milipol India. What is GT Line showcasing, and what brings you into partnership with Nilkamal?

 Davide Segatori. GT Line is an Italian company specializing in waterproof and technical cases. We’re here at Milipol to showcase our “Explorer Cases”—durable transport solutions trusted by defence, industrial, and audiovisual sectors globally. Our new collaboration with Nilkamal is a significant milestone. We chose Nilkamal because we believe India is a strategic market and local partnership is key to truly understanding the culture and needs of this vast country. Nilkamal brings that understanding and infrastructure.

 ADU. Could you tell us more about GT Line’s origins and product range?

 Davide Segatori. Absolutely. GT Line was founded in 1970 as a family-owned manufacturer of tool cases. Around the early 2000s, we launched our waterproof Explorer Cases to meet a growing market need. These are designed to withstand humidity, rain, dust, shocks, and vibration—perfect for defence applications. Today, we offer around 55 different case sizes used globally across defence, broadcasting, industrial, and photographic sectors.

 ADU. What is the USP(Unique Selling Proposition)?

 Davide Segatori. Designed with the latest military-grade technical specifications, these cases ensure safe transport and secure storage of weapons, electronics, surveillance tools, and mission-critical devices under extreme field conditions. Whether in desert heat, heavy rain, sub-zero temperatures or combat zones, GT Line waterproof cases are the frontline choice for armed forces worldwide.

ADU. What makes India a key market for you, especially in the defence and homeland security domain?

Davide Segatori. India’s defence sector is rapidly modernizing and expanding its inventory—new weapons, tech, and gear. All of this needs robust protection. As the government invests in new infrastructure and equipment, our cases are the ideal solution to safeguard those investments. The potential here is enormous, and Nilkamal’s extensive footprint can help us reach and serve it better.

 ADU. Do GT Line products already serve international forces like NATO and the UN?

 Davide Segatori. Yes, 85% of our products are exported globally. We’re the European leader in this segment. Our cases are trusted by NATO and UN forces, and used daily in the field by professionals across Europe, the US, and beyond. That global trust and credibility are what we bring to India as well.

 ADU. Is there a plan for local manufacturing in India with Nilkamal?

 Davide Segatori. At the moment, no facility is co-located here, but it’s something we may consider in the future as the business grows. Nilkamal has extensive manufacturing capability, so the infrastructure is already there. With time and scale, Make in India becomes a very real possibility for us.

With decades of precision manufacturing behind it, GT Line is now bringing its globally trusted protection solutions to Indian shores through a dynamic new partnership with Nilkamal. As India expands its defence capability, the need for reliable, rugged cases grows. GT Line and Nilkamal’s collaboration aims to fill that gap—starting with distribution and potentially moving into full-scale local production. At Milipol India 2025, this partnership promises to make an impact by protecting what matters most—equipment, assets, and national interests.

As told to Sangeeta Saxena