Defence Manufacturing needs Technology, Volume, Viability, and Certification Capability within the country; Shri Raj Kumar, IAS, Secretary Defence Production, Government of India

No.PR-111 June 2, 2020 New Delhi Defence Manufacturing needs Technology, Volume, Viability, and Certification Capability within the country; Shri Raj Kumar, IAS, Secretary Defence Production, Government of India New Delhi, 2nd June 2020 : PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted an interactive webinar on “Indigenisation of Critical & Strategic Materials in Defence Manufacturing” with Shri Raj Kumar, IAS, Secretary Defence Production, Government of India. Shri Raj Kumar, IAS, Secretary Defence Production, Government of India, deliberated about self-reliant India in the defence sector which got a boost through financial package announced recently by the Hon’ble Finance Minister. We expect the out industry to go up by 20 Million Dollars by 2025 and we are making conscious efforts which are to minimize imports, provide budgetary support for domestic procurement and others. There is a huge focus on the Indianization of imported items including materials. We are moving in a positive direction in developing the Defence Manufacturing industry. we need technology, volume, viability, and certification capability within the country. these steps will be taken and we will plan for a mission approach. There is a lot to do in testing, import of technology, domestic manufacturing capability, and others we are working towards it, said Shri Raj Kumar. The other esteemed panellists who deliberated and shared their viewpoints in the Webinar were Mr. Hari Mohan, Director General, Ordnance Factories and Chair, OFB; Mr. R Madhavan, Chair, and Managing Director, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited; Dr. S K Jha, Chair, and Managing Director, MIDHANI; Mr. Nik Khanna, Managing Director (India), BAE Systems; Mr. Ashish Saraf, Head of Airbus Helicopters, Airbus South Asia; Mr. William L. Blair, Vice President, and Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin India Pvt. Ltd and others. Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, Senior Vice President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in his welcome address mentioned that the importance of defence manufacturing in the world of today . The government has announced a financial stimulus package to boost Defence productions and boost this sector post-COVID-19 period. Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal also suggested to constitute an Indian Defence Export Council to facilitate Indian Defence industry and boost defence exports in the country. The emphasis of this industry is to develop at the local level possible with a focus to MSMEs, Increasing the FDI limit will help to set manufacturing hubs and bring new technology to India in the future. the goal is to have more local manufacturing, be self-reliant and outshine defence manufacturing for the future growth of India, said Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal. Mr. M K Gupta, Chair, Defence and HLS Committee, PHD Chamber, gave an overview industry perspective and shared the future needs of the defence manufacturing industry. Mr. Vikram Sahgal, Co-Chair, Defence and HLS Committee, PHD Chamber, shared the issues and challenges faced by the industry while also suggesting relief measures and steps to ensure smooth working of the industry in the country. Mr. S N Nuwal, Co-Chair, Defence, and HLS Committee, PHD Chamber delivered a formal vote of thanks to all the esteemed panellists and participants. The Webinar was moderated by Mr. Vivek Seigell, Principal Director, PHD Chamber. The Webinar was attended by Mr. Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary-General, PHD Chamber along with other senior members of PHD Chamber and over 200 industry stalwarts around the world. Ends. Media Division PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry