The Hindu Business Line : Kerala SMEs gearing for Defence production

As much as 30 per cent of the projected production will be sourced from the domestic industry. The opportunities open to the companies are as suppliers of spares, components, sub-systems and entire systems.

Thiruvananthapuram May 8 The Kerala Government is planning to don the role of a facilitator to bring SMEs in the State into the field of Defence production.

This is in the context of the vast avenues being opened up in the area, what with the Defence Ministry set to spend Rs 5 lakh crore over five years to acquire strategic Defence capabilities on diverse fronts.

As much as 30 per cent of the projected production will be sourced from the domestic industry.

The State Government's idea is to help the SMEs get a slice of the pie.

UPGRADATION

According to officials in the Industries Department, this will require that the enterprises update their production and quality testing standards several notches in order to match the stringent parameters set for the systems and components.

The Department could play the role of facilitator in this respect, they added.

The opportunities open to the companies are as suppliers of spares, components, sub-systems and entire systems. Each of them calls for highly specialised production skills and quality awareness; the Government's initiative is aimed at equipping the enterprises to the tasks ahead.

IN THE FRAY

This comes in the backdrop of a slew of public sector enterprises gearing for Defence production in association with the Defence Ministry.

They include Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation (Keltron), Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Company (KEL), Kerala Hitech Industries Ltd (Keltec) and Steel and Industrial Forgings Ltd.

TIE-UPS

Of them, Keltec is already supplying components and systems to the ISRO and the Defence Department.

The State Government has decided to hand over the company to the DRDO.

Similarly, Keltron is also manufacturing some systems for Defence purposes.

The Industries Department is planning to conduct a workshop for SMEs in association with the FICCI and the Defence Ministry within a couple of weeks.

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