Defence News India: Industry lobby group Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) Friday organised Army Make projects 2019 conclave to facilitate a candid and open dialogue between the Indian Army and private defence manufacturers. Indian Army has embarked on a massive indigenization programme under the Modi government’s flagship scheme Make in India to boost the country’s manufacturing sector. The simplification of Make-II procedures and recent changes have turned out to be a game changer, said Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt General MM Naravane in a message.
Indian Army lists out more than a dozen requirements before the private defence manufacturers to come up with the unique and cost effective indigenous solutions.
Army Make Projects 2019
The requirement listed out by Indian Army includes AFV protection and counter measure suit for its tank columns, robotic surveillance platform, truck mounted crane for ULH regiments, mountain fire control radars, extended range ammunition for mortars, software defined radio and portable helipad among other things.
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Indian Army is also looking to upgrade 1,000 and more than 1,200 horse power engines for its T-72 and T-90 main battle tanks.
Addressing the gathering, Lt General Manoj Mukund Naravne said: “The government and the Indian army have clearly demonstrated our resolve in pursuing the defence indigenization agenda.”
“We are committed to see that the Indian Army is modernized through home grown solutions and our soldiers are equipped with world class equipment that are made in India,” said Lt Gen MM Naravane.
Govt reduces paperwork for Make-II projets
Talking about the Modi government’s effort to support Indian defence manufacturer to reduce the country’s reliance on defence imports, Subhash Chandra, secretary in the department of defence production said that he always believed in engaging with the industry, including MSMEs, defence start-ups, individual innovators among others.
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“The strengthening the Make-II procedure by ensuring reduced paperwork and greater autonomy to services headquarters and industry friendly initiatives are effort in this direction,” said Subhash Chandra.
Indigenisation crucial for boosting army’s war fighting capabilities
Defence industry leaders also highlighted the need for indigenisation of defence production to reduce reliance on defence imports and to have an edge over the country’s enemies.
“As a major regional player with strategic reach expanding from the middle-east to south-east Asia, India is expected to play a significant role,” said Jayant D Patil, chairman of FICCI’s Defence Committee, adding that it is imperative for the country to invest in building indigenous capabilities through disruptive technologies.
“Focused and dogged pursuance of Make programmes alone can differentiate our war fighting abilities,” said defence industry veteran Jayant D Patil.
Lt General SS Hasabnis, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Planning and Systems), Lt General Raj Shukla, DG, PP of Indian Army, Major General AK Channan, ADG PP (B) of Indian Army and nearly half a dozen project officers held candid discussions with the industry participants.
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Indian Defence manufacturers were represented by HS Shankar, managing director of Alpha Design Technologies, Ashok Alturi, chairman and MD of Zen Technologies Limited, Vikash Mishra, chairman of drone manufacturer Raphe mPhiber private limited, NB Singh, principal advisor of Bharat Forge Limited and Swati Rangachari, chief corporate affairs officer of Sterlite Technologies Limited and representatives from Dynamatic Technologies and also from Kanpur based defence manufacturer MKU.
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“The 2019 interactive session, held in partnership with Ficci will prove to be an important platform to build trust and foster greater cooperation between the defence industry and Indian Army,” said Jayant D Patil, whole time director and member of the board of India’s leading defence manufacturer Larsen & Toubro.
