K. C. Nanda, Executive Director, Barrackpore Division, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), on Thursday urged vendors in the eastern region to tap increasing opportunities for supply of equipment to the defence sector.

Addressing a seminar at the 26th Industrial Indian Trade Fair here, Nanda said vendors in the East have been contributing “insignificantly” to HAL and other defence establishments.

“Vendors in the East have a role to play in supporting the defence sector, both in terms of equipment and technology. There is no dearth of capacity, but they have to introspect why they cannot compete with other regions,” he said.

According to him, a project such as the development of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) took so long because of India’s over dependence on other countries for technology.

>ayan.pramanik@thehindu.co.in

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