West Bengal govt organises session for promoting defense manufacturing sector

Kolkata: The Government of West Bengal organized a session “West Bengal: The Future Destination of Defense Manufacturing Sector” for promoting defense manufacturing sector in the state at the Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan. A defense equipment exhibition ‘EAST TECH 2022’ has been organized at the venue also.

The session highlighted the opportunities in defense-related procurement especially as a large number of items have been mandated for indigenous sourcing. The session included interactions with MSMEs, ordnance factories, GRSE and various other sectors involved in the defense supply chain. The session was aimed to connect the nascent units producing related materials with operational ones. The interventions to improve quality of end products as well as setting up of ancillary segments to support the defense manufacturing sector were also deliberated upon.

Speaking at the conference, Dr H K Dwivedi, IAS, Chief Secretary, highlighted the opportunities for MSME units of the state as vendors, suppliers and producers of defense sector supplies. The equipment specifically required included search and rescue equipment, portable medical equipment, drone and counter drone technology, mobility solutions amongst others. The Chief Secretary also stressed on the need for a necessary ecosystem for innovation, training and R&D Facilities in defense manufacturing in the state.

Lt Gen Kalita, GoC-in-C of Eastern Command, Indian Army mentioned that Indian Armed Forces are keen on procuring various equipment including technical textiles, surveillance instruments operational in higher altitude and extreme weather conditions locally. He appreciated the laudable efforts of the West Bengal Government on mobilizing the EAST TECH 2022.

The session was addressed by Sunil Mishra, Director General, Society for Indian Defense Manufacturers (SIDM), Rajesh Pandey, IAS Pr. Secretary MSME department, Vandana Yadav, IAS Secretary Industry Commerce & Enterprises department, Col (Retd) Rajinder Singh Bhatia, President & CEO, Bharat Forge Cmdr. P R Hari, IN (Retd.) Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE Ltd. It was attended by over 100 units already manufacturing defense related equipment.

Published on: Friday, July 08, 2022, 10:42 PM IST