Assures Industry of hand-holding
Highlighting the significant opportunities that the Indian Navy presents to the Indian Industry, Vice Admiral G Srinivasan, AVSM, VSM, Director General Navy Projects, Indian Navy, Visakhapatnam, said that the Navy has been at the forefront of Indigenisation and that there is plethora of opportunities for the private sector to be part of.
‘Indian Navy has been a torchbearer of Atma Nirbharta for a long time. Many aren’t aware of the fact that the first indigenous naval ship was built here itself by our very own Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) way back in 1961 i.e. INS Dhumak’ informed VADM Srinivasan addressing the Regional MSME Conclave organized by Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), in collaboration with the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence.
Identifying the gargantuan opportunities that the defence forces offer to private industry the Vice admiral said ’64 of 66 ships on order are being built by our Indian shipyards. These approximately present an opportunity of Rs 3 lakh crs worth of contract’.
And in order to leverage these opportunities the VADM urged MSMEs to go beyond their current capabilities and become a force to reckon with and not shy away from the rigorous requirements of the Navy.
He exhorted MSMEs to bolster their quality and time delivery of the products to the defence forces.
Assuring support/hand holding to MSMEs in getting the desired results he said that it is paramount that MSMEs first clearly understand the requirements of the Indian Navy and not cut corners.
‘Our requirements are stringent as we have to go to war not have a picnic at sea’ quipped the VADM.
He also mentioned that the government has come out with a tremendous number of schemes to support MSMEs and to take advantage of them.
Acknowledging role of MSMEs
The DGNP however acknowledged the role of MSMEs in the defence sector and said that MSMEs had grown significantly over the past two decades.
He noted that there have been instances wherein MSMEs have provided them with better products when compared to its foreign partners.
‘MSMEs are doing a fascinating job. In our air purification system on board our ships and submarines the filters provided by our MSMEs are far-far better than the ones provided to us by the Russians’ noted VADM Srinivasan.
In a later session RAdm Nelson D’Souza, NM, CSO (TECH), Eastern Naval Command said that the Naval platform was diverse as it needed multiple complex equipments.
He therefore underscored the importance of collaboration with the MSMEs.
Speaking on the level of indigenisation RADM Nelson said that the Indian Navy had achieved a considerable amount of Indigenisation in propulsion systems.
‘We have achieved 100% indigenisation in the float category, 65% in move category and 60% in fight category’ pointed out the RADM Nelson.
RAdm R Vijay Sekhar, AVSM, NM, Admiral superintendent Naval dockyard, Visakhapatnam, Mr J Srinivasa Raju, Chairman, SIDM (AP) along with other dignitaries also addressed the gathering.
