By Aritra Banerjee
Indian Navy and the Department of Defence Production (DDP) collaborated to organise a seminar on ‘Aatmanirbharta in Aero Armament Sustenance’ during Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru on 15 February 2023. The seminar was aimed at achieving self-reliance in defence in line with the Indian Government’s policy to reduce foreign dependence. The Minister of State for Defence, Ajay Bhatt, who was the Chief Guest of the seminar, emphasised the need for complete indigenisation of arms and ammunition in the armed forces.
In his address, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar, highlighted the importance of a well-equipped, technologically enabled and efficiently supported modern military to overcome the increasing uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity amongst nations in the contemporary security canvas. The Indian Navy has established a three-tier organisation under Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) to further stimulate collaboration with the industry.
The seminar aimed to bring key stakeholders to a common platform, share requirements, and discuss the technical expertise and resources available with various stakeholders towards realising missile sustenance for the tri-services through private industry. The seminar provided a platform for key stakeholders from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), users, maintainers, quality assurance (QA) agencies, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), and Indian industry to engage in detailed panel discussions on the Government’s initiative and way ahead for Industry partners to participate in taking on the sustenance of missiles held with the armed forces.
The Government’s policy on Life Extension and refurbishment of missiles for the three services through an equal partnership between Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and private industries has opened several avenues to the private industry for partnerships with foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), DRDO labs, and DPSUs. This landmark policy has boosted the confidence of private industry to take on more projects, especially with the recent success in designing and developing complete indigenous systems. The conduct of the seminar is of utmost importance for realising the Government’s vision of achieving Aatmanirbharta in missile sustenance for the armed forces.
Overall, the Indian Navy’s initiative, in collaboration with the DDP, emphasises the need for self-reliance in defence production and the importance of a concerted effort by private industries to achieve it. The seminar allowed stakeholders to engage in panel discussions and exchange constructive ideas and inputs towards achieving the goal of a strong and self-reliant India, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
