Gujarat MSMEs/Start-ups have great potential to contribute to defence manufacturing: Anurag Bajpai, Joint Secretary, Defence Industries Production

Nov 26, 2021

NEW DELHI, 26 November 2021: Mr Anurag Bajpai, Joint Secretary Defence Industries Production in his special address at the Gujarat Defence MSMEs/Start-Ups Conference organized by FICCI said that Government of India is committed to become a net exporter and State of Gujarat has a great potential to contribute to this mission.

He further added that Gujarat is a state of diverse defence MSMEs and start-up/entrepreneurs with capability to harness latest and niche technologies. Procurement under Make II is an important tool for MSMEs. MOD has made special provisions to directly procure from MSMEs to the tune of Rs 100 Crore. He added that iDEX is another important channel through which MSMEs / Start-ups could participate in development of prototype and order could be sanctioned up to Rs. 1000 crore. He encouraged MSMEs / Start-ups to make use of the recent policy reforms and initiatives like 209 items of positive indigenization list and SRIJAN portal where 16000 items have been uploaded to help DPSUs and services to indigenize. He further added that Start-up fundings are done by DDP to the tune of Rs. 1.5 crores and more on case-to-case basis. He finally invited Gujarat MSMEs and Start-ups to actively participate in the forthcoming Defexpo 2022 to be held in Gandhinagar.

Mr Praveen Kumar, DDG Exports, Ministry of Defence gave a detailed presentation covering various initiatives by Department of Defence Production to promote MSMEs in India's Defence Production and Exports. He invited Gujarat MSMEs and Start-Ups to register on defence portal: https://defenceexim.gov.in to directly receive export leads.

Air Marshal RK Dhir PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC (Retd), Advisor - Defence & Aerospace, Government of Gujarat in his address mentioned that the PM's vision of Self-Reliance, Make in India, Start-Up India etc. has picked up pace over the last two years. He said that Gujarat is geared up for contributing to defence manufacturing and Indigenisation of defence equipment will be the major thrust. He added that over the last few years delegations from Army Design Bureau, other directorates of Indian Army, Air Force and Navy have been visiting Gujarat to analyse the potential and capabilities of defence MSMEs and Start-ups and this conference is one step in the right direction to get all stakeholders to one platform to make further progress. He ended his address on a positive note and mentioned that DefExpo 2022 is an important activity that could bring capabilities of Gujarat industries into the forefront.

Earlier Mr Ravin Vyas, Chairman - FICCI Gujarat State Council's Aerospace & Defence Sub Committee applauded the decision of MOD to promote Gujarat as an important constituent to promote India as a defence manufacturing hub. He was positive that MSMEs and Start-ups will make use of the current wave of policy reforms and initiatives rolled out by Government of India and contribute immensely to Atmanirbhar Bharat and Raksha Utpadan.

Concluding the Inaugural Session Ms Geeta Goradia, Co-Chairperson, FICCI - Gujarat State Council thanked Ministry of Defence for prioritizing state of Gujarat for defence manufacturing and expressed her confidence that the MSMEs and Start-ups will live up to the dream of realizing Hon'ble PM's vision of a self-reliant nation and especially in defence production.