Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the release of ₹20 crore to the Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (Codissia) for setting up a defence innovation centre here.

The proposed centre will help the micro, small and medium enterprises and start-ups engaged in the manufacture of components for the defence sector conduct tests and trials of the components, the Minister said at an interactive meeting on ‘Defence Park in Coimbatore’, organised by Codissia on Sunday. She said India is the third biggest armaments procurement country in the world. The Ministry is trying to assess the number of micro units engaged in supply of components to the defence sector. “This industrial hub holds huge potential,” she said and invited the entrepreneurs from this region to the upcoming defence-related product expo at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai on January 18 and 19.

“A good number of micro units engaged in supply of components to the sector would converge and bring to the table the patented products for display. A visit to the expo will help you understand the needs of the defence sector,” she said and agreed to a suggestion from the audience on the need for creation of a data bank on the component production requirements and supply details of the same to the sector.

Codissia President Sundaram said the establishment of the Centre would help more Codissians to produce components for the defence sector.

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