“Indian Navy has always been at the forefront when it comes to indigenisation and with the recent policy changes, it has only become easier to progress the cause further,” said Rear Admiral R Swaminathan, NM. The Admiral was speaking at the ‘Industry interaction on MAKE projects for Indian Navy’organised jointly by Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and Indian Navy on 26 April 2018.
Rear Admiral added that the Indian Navy’s requirements are drawn from its self-reliance needs which in turn emanate from the capability requirements. The Indian Navy has a two pronged approach of ab initio development and technology development with a bucket list including Gas Turbine Generators, High End Electronics and Artificial Intelligence. These provide ample opportunities both to the big industries and the MSMEs. He mentioned that the Indian Navy has already commenced Make cases as well as the cases in the Technology Development Fund (TDF) categories. The Indian Navy has also nominated Project Facilitation Teams for each project to handhold each case up to the Proto-type development stage.
Lt Gen Subrata Saha, PVSM, UYSM, YSM, VSM** (Retd), Director General, SIDM noted, “The Draft Defence Production Policy 2018 focuses on self-reliance, encourages innovation by earmarking funds for Hackathons, and promotes MSME participation.” He added that the idea of bringing the Draft Defence Production Policy post Defence Procurement Policy (DPP) 2016 clearly supports the forward looking provisions of DPP and various Indian industries already have projects at concept of readiness stage under the MAKE II category. This will only grow with the interest being expressed by the industry in such projects. He also mentioned that SIDM has initiated discussions to help develop a methodology for determining price index for technological & performance parameters for Defence and Aerospace procurements.
Officers from various Directorates of Indian Navy presented details of all 24 MAKE projects that are in various stages and thereafter respective project officers interacted one on one with the industry representatives. More than 125 participants comprising officers from the three Services, industry representatives and Headquarter of Integrated Defence Staff attended the interaction.
About SIDM
The Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) is a not-for-profit association formed to be the apex body of the Indian defence industry. SIDM plays a proactive role as an advocate, catalyst, and facilitator for the growth and capability building of the defence industry in India. SIDM works closely with the government towards enabling the growth of the defence industry and collaborates with experts from the armed forces, academia and defence industry to optimize the industry’s development capabilities. With a vision to ‘Catalyse the Indian defence industry to effectively contribute to India’s national security and become a trustworthy global partner’, SIDM provides an array of services to its members including Policy & Progress Advocacy, Policy & Market Research, Access to Emerging Technologies & New Opportunities, Promotes Indigenisation & Innovation, Export Promotion and Education & Skill Development.
SIDM has more than 175 members including large enterprises, MSMEs, FOEMs and regional industry associations.
26 April 2018
New Delhi