“Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, AVSM VM calls for integrating private sector capabilities to set the stage for India’s global competitiveness in Defence Sector”

"BEL invites Indian Industry to take advantage of the growth opportunities in Defence Exports, expected to reach ?50,000 Crore Milestone by 2029"

Addressing at the Inaugural session, Chief Guest, Air Marshal Tejinder Singh AVSM VM Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Indian Air Force shared a user’s perspective on multidomain operations and the critical role of secure communications and technology in evolving warfare. He shed light on the opportunities in aerospace design, space technology, quantum cryptography, and AI applications, urging private sector collaboration to tackle obsolescence challenges and meet niche technology needs in defence.

During the welcome address Mr. Puneet Kaura Co-Chair CII NR Regional Committee on Defence & Managing Director & CEO Samtel Avionics Limited underscored the need to build a self-reliant ecosystem leveraging initiatives like AtmaNirbhar Bharat and defence corridors, while promoting innovation and state-of-the-art products to position India as a global supply chain partner. He stressed on the importance of public-private partnerships, skilling, and private sector involvement in advancing India’s defence aspirations.

Dr. Sudhir Kumar Mishra, Chair-Emeritus, DRDO, and Former CEO & Managing Director, BrahMos Aerospace, delivering the keynote address, highlighted the challenges and opportunities in the Defence Electronics and Communications (E&C) sector. He addressed critical issues such as technological gaps and supply chain dependencies while emphasizing DRDO’s contributions to strategic electronics, AI, cybersecurity, and semiconductors. Dr. Mishra also outlined avenues for collaboration, including joint research, technology transfer, and R&D funding, to accelerate indigenization and drive innovation in the sector.

The Indian Defence exports market have reached a record mark of 21,000 crore and have set an ambitious target of 50,000 crore milestone by 2029, said Ms Rashmi Kathuria, General Manager (SCCS) & Unit Head Bharat Electronics Limited. During the address she emphasized on the evolving defence ecosystem and the critical role of MSMEs and startups in driving innovation and growth. She outlined key government initiatives such as DAP 2020, SRIJAN Portal, and iDEX, which promote participation and innovation in the sector. Ms Kathuria also laid impetus on export growth, enhanced access to testing facilities, and the use of transparent platforms like GeM and TreDs to scale up MSME contributions.

For building a self-reliant defence manufacturing ecosystem and unlocking potential for MSMEs and startups, the event also featured exclusive vendor development session by key DPSU, Indian Army and Indian Airforce. During the vendor development programme Ms. Rakha Sastry, General Manager (Unmanned Systems) at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), shared key insights on BEL's indigenization initiatives and its support for the industry, inviting industry to collaborate & take advantage of this opportunity. Mr. Anil Kumar Gautam, Chief Manager (Planning and Projects) at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), presented HAL's efforts towards fostering industry collaboration. Col. RS Rana, Secretary of the Regional Technology Node-Bengaluru, Army Design Bureau (ADB), discussed the Vendor Development Programme and the collaborative opportunities it offers.

The session also benefitted from valuable perspectives shared by GP CAPT Kanav Bhartendu, and WG CDR Shailesh Singh from Indian Air Force who presented the user-side sharing opportunities and challenges in the vendor development journey.

CII NR hosted the Defence Electronics and Communications BSM Meet today in New Delhi, highlighting opportunities for Indian industry in achieving self-reliance and global competitiveness in defence manufacturing.

22 January 2025

New Delhi