It is very important to say that DefExpo 2022 which is the 12th edition of the land, naval, air and homeland security exhibition is taking place at a critical moment for India as a country as we are going ahead with more responsibility as a global leader.
The exhibition which is happening from October 18 to 22, 2022 at Gandhinagar in Gujarat will feature a few hundred exhibitors from 70 countries and will be spread over an area of 76,000 square meters consisting of well-planned exhibition halls and seminar halls in addition to open space.
Besides showcasing India’s defence manufacturing capabilities, DefExpo 2022 will be an ideal platform that will facilitate the Indian defence industry to highlight the high-quality and cost competitiveness of its products and services.
Since independence, India was heavily dependent on foreign hardware and software for defence application. But the growth of Indian PSUs, including HAL, BEL, BEML and others have given a strategic edge for the country in defence production. Also, Indian private industry along with startup companies have come up with strategic partnerships with foreign OEMs to form mutually beneficial strategic joint ventures.
Here we have to factor in that 70% of the funds allotted for defence procurement in the budget for 2022-23 has been reserved for procurement from the defence industry. Also, the Defence Acquisition Policy 2020 which has been announced earlier and is in practice supports ‘Make-in-India’ through strategic partnership and also emphasises development and acquisition of critical technologies and manufacturing in India even for meeting immediate needs and inter-governmental agreements with special provision for maximising the value addition in India.
In addition to giving a global market access for India, these initiatives for self-reliance by the government partnership has succeeded in achieving the goal of self-reliance in various sectors, including defence. It is a reality that it will give the country a strategic independence and also give financial contributions to the exchequer through innovation and startup industries.
A self-reliant domestic defence industry has given the government good faith to achieve an export target of Rs 36,500 crore in defence by 2025. To make this a reality, we have to impact the industry with a growth focus on boarding stakeholders like public sector undertakings, private sector corporate firms and SME supply chain.
We have to appreciate the government for their various initiatives to focus on innovation, research and development in the defence sector. The central government along with state governments should work in tandem with the private sector and startups.
Satellites and space based systems will play a decisive role in future wars and defense. ISRO’s significant contributions in using remote sensing and communication satellites for civil applications can be used also for defense. USA, France, UK, Russia and China have developed space based satellites and systems for defence. India has also initiated development of such systems. Indian Air, Land and Marine based defence equipment can be more efficiently used with the help of space based systems. Indian industries must work closely with ISRO and DRDO and Indian Armed forces to realise this capability.
SMEs in India and in other countries contribute a major share of manufacturing and to the total percentage of GDP. The large number of cost effective and innovative supply chains and startups will have a major role in making India a Global Manufacturing Hub for defense equipment, components, sensors and systems. These companies need to be nurtured by Govt of India and the large pPublic Sector and private sector corporates with opportunities and financial support for their growth and contributions by making in India for India and the global market.
Indian private companies must spend more money and resources for R&D and achieve indigenous development of technology processes in products in defence R&D. The manufacturing ecosystem has grown considerably in capabilities meeting international quality and made space for major growth.
To achieve more growth, we have to collaborate with international corporations as this partnership will bring synergy for mutual benefit and will make India a winner and all the partners also winners. DefExpo 2022 will further shape our international outlook in defence production at the same time disrupt with innovative tech disruptions.
Dr C G Krishnadas Nair
President, Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies and Industries (SIATI)
