0
0
To build self-reliance through indigenization we must convert each challenge into an opportunity, Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani,AVSM,VSM, Chief of Materiel, Indian Navy
PHDCCI, in association with the Indian Navy, Department of Defence Production, Government of India and the Ministry of MSME, Government of India organised an Industry Interactive Session & B2B Meetings on the Indigenisation Requirements of Indian Navy: Opportunities for MSMEs on 12th September in New Delhi. The key highlight of this interactive session were the B2B meetings where more than 70 one-on-one meetings took place between the industry and the Indian Navy.
Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, AVSM, VSM, Chief of Materiel, Indian Navy, was the Chief Guest for the Conference which also saw the presence of Rear Admiral K Srinivas, Assistant Chief of Materiel, Indian Navy Cdr Deepak Kota, Cdr (Indigenisation) –I, Indian Navy, Mr. Satish Bharathan, General Manager, Larsen & Toubro Limited, Capt. Nikunj Parashar, Founder, Sagar Defence Engineering, Col. Rajneesh Akhoury, VP – Business Development,
TARDID Technologies Pvt Ltd and Mr. Ajay Rajawat, Project Director- RRU, SASTRA-DIIS. The Welcome Address was given by Mr. Pradeep Multani, President, PHDCCI and the Vote of Thanks was given by Col. Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General, PHDCCI.
While addressing the industry stakeholders at PHDCCI’s Indiginisation of requirements of Indian Navy,Oppurtunities for MSMEs Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani,AVSM,VSM, Chief of Materiel, Indian Navy, shared the historic perspective of the Indian Navy which was already follwoing a visionary path for indigenization.
If India has to achieve complete self-reliance then we have to work upon optimally utilizing our incredible talent pool and make them an efficient part of the ecosystem, in becoming Atmanirbhar , especially in the MSME sector. The Navy has always gone ahead and helped industry and will continue the same, said Vice Admiral Naithani
We have embarked stable platforms and are working on more such platforms to help the industry and other stakeholders, added Vice Admiral Naithani.
Credible testing facilities were a major challenge earlier but now Indian Navy has come to the forefront in this direction to meet the world standards. Underwater ranges, marine turbines, documentation, quality issues all have been worked upon therefore converting each challenge into an opportunity, said, Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani.
Mr. Pradeep Multani, President,PHDCCI, mentioned that the indigenization is the capability of developing and producing any defence equipment within the country for the dual purpose of achieving self- reliance and reducing the burden of imports. Self-reliance in defense manufacturing is one of the key objectives of Department of Defence Production. As far as indigenization is concerned, we have to take the first steps first where we have the in-house
capability to manufacture the materials, components and assemblies.
Col. K V Kuber, Director (Aerospace & Defence),Ernst & Young LLP, mentioned that the Indian Navy has acquired adequate expertise in the hull design and construction of various types of warships. In the field of propulsion systems (barring Marine Gas Turbines and Propulsion Diesel Engines) and related auxiliaries, support services like air conditioning,
refrigeration, etc., production capabilities are available in the country. Till the recent past, indigenisation was focused on import substitution through reverse engineering and was limited to components/ subsystem. This method, though helpful in management of existing inventories, the IN remained saddled with decades old technology. Indigenisation strategy is, therefore, primarily focused on technology development in gap areas rather than requirement based indigenization.
He added that we are also reasonably self-sufficient in power generation and distribution systems, communication systems, Combat Management Systems, Sonars and Electronic Warfare Systems.
Mr. Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General,PHDCCI, while presenting a formal vote of thanks deliberated upon modernization and enhancement of naval capabilities which are an ongoing process. We are assured that the Indian Navy is striving to address the capability enhancement in areas such as aircraft carriers, tankers, landing platform docks, mine countermeasures vessels, submarines and integral helicopters, added Mr. Sanyal.
Technical Session was moderated by Col K V Kuber.
Cdr. Deepak Kota gave detailed presentation on the various initiatives and avenues of the Indian Navy and how it provides the opportunities to the MSMEs to become a part of the defence supply chain of the Indian Navy. He also invited the MSMEs to participate more and more in the growing indigenisation requirements of the Indian Navy.
Mr. Satish Bharathan shared the various initiatives taken by L&T to promote the interest of the MSMEs and that they are keen to take new MSMEs on board in their various projects of the Indian Navy.
Mr. Nikunj Parashar gave insight into the support given by the Indian Navy in handholding the MSMEs and the Start-Ups to the extent possible in and integrating them in their supply chain. They are proactively supporting the MSMEs in providing them with newer opportunities. It is for the MSMEs to take benefit out of their initiatives and indigenisation plan.
Col. Rajneesh Akhoury shared that their experience of working with the Indian Navy and that was really amazing for the fact that Indian Navy wants the Indian companies to come up with new solutions to their problem statements and they are ready to handhold them at all levels.
Mr. Ajay Rajawat said that they had altogether different level of experience working with the Indian Navy and they had developed solutions for the Indian navy which has been subsequently been indigenised.
More than 70 B2B meetings took place with the Indian Navy Officers. More than 200 industry delegates participated in this meaningful and timely conference.
The event was partnered by L&T, Starwire India Ltd. Micron Instruments Pvt. Ltd. and supported by CODISSIA and RRU. EY was the Strategic Partner for the Conference.
