The Defence Indigenisation Expo now under way at the Codissia Trade Fair Complex seemed to have caught the attention of young and old alike, with entrepreneurs and students thronging the venue to understand the requirements of the defence sector.

For one, this is the first of such events being organised here and with the Defence Ministry giving greater impetus to the Make in India drive, it was obvious that a good number of visitors at the stalls put up by the participating Defence PSUs were e keen to understand if they can develop products/components for the sector and be part of the mission towards making Coimbatore a Defence Innovation Hub.

‘Be part of supply chain’

“We are looking to increase our vendor base; self-reliance and indigenisation are crucial,” said Ravin Kulshrestha, Director, Planning and Coordination, Defence Ministry, inviting the MSMEs to tap the potential in the defence procurement space.

While making it clear that it can take some time for the new vendors to be a part of the supply chain, he stressed the importance of participating in such events. “The government is taking a series of measures to make the entry barrier easy by de-licensing close to 60 to 65 per cent of the products, which hitherto could not be made without a valid licence, introduced the concept of multiplier, rolled the Make II procedure to ensure minimal documentation and given its approval for 23 projects.”.

Production partners

Subrata Saha, Director-General, Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers, spoke on the liberalisation of Defence Procurement Procedure 2016. “The Strategic Partnership Policy also got renewed,” he said and urged the MSMEs to take advantage of the potential “by picking the low hanging fruit and get it rolling”

The DRDO is seeking production and development partners from the private industry. There are 26 technologies which the private industry can tap and take forward, he said and pointed out that the foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) were at it, seeking expertise and services of the industries here to become part of a larger supply chain.

“While looking at the opportunity that awaits us, we should be equally conscious of quality control and management” Saha said.

Coir wood houses

CP Radhakrishnan, Chairman, Coir Board, said that the board is in the process of developing coir wood houses for warriors positioned in extreme climatic regions. “These tent-like houses can be dismantled in 3-hours and assembled in as many hours. The natural thermostatic property of the coir wood will help keep them warm during times of snow/ice and cool when the temperature tends to rise. Research is under way,” he added.

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