NewzVille Desk
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed as the chief guest at the MSMEs, start-ups, winners of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), private defence companies, innovators, policymakers, and academia during the inaugural session of the two-day National Defence Industries Conclave, organised by the Department of Defence Production on the theme ‘Advanced Manufacturing Technologies’ in New Delhi today.
During his address he stressed on the urgent need to build a drone production ecosystem to ensure strategic autonomy, enhance defence preparedness and make the country Aatmanirbhar in view of the present geopolitical uncertainties.
The Defence Minister asserted that the ongoing conflicts, ranging from the Russia-Ukraine war to the tensions between Iran & Israel, are proof that drones and counter-drone technologies are destined to play a pivotal role in future warfare, and self-reliance in drone manufacturing is essential not merely at the product level, but at the component level as well.
“From the drone’s molds to its software, engines, and batteries, everything must be manufactured in India. This is no easy task. In most countries where drones are manufactured, a significant number of critical components are currently imported from China,” he said.
Singh added that while the creation of any nation’s defence industrial ecosystem relies on the contributions of large industries, MSMEs, start-ups, and innovators, it is equally driven by a clear policy push from the government, tailored to meet the country’s specific defence requirements. While he called for active contribution of the private sector, he extended Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s full support to transform India into a global hub for indigenous drone manufacturing.
During the event, Raksha Mantri also released 05 publications of Department of Defence Production, which aim to strengthen awareness of policy initiatives, promote defence exports and facilitate ease of doing business for industry stakeholders.
Minister Singh also inaugurated an exhibition, wherein 20 large defence companies have set up their stalls to showcase their initiatives and programmes for co-opting MSMEs as partners, suppliers and innovators. In addition, 24 Indian and foreign companies are participating in the exhibition to display advanced manufacturing technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, additive manufacturing and smart materials.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat and other senior officials were present on the occasion.
