Rajnath exhorts MSMEs to make India Atma Nirbhar' in defence tech, products

Acknowledging that defence manufacturing has been adversely affected due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday exhorted MSMEs to make India Atma Nirbhar' (self-reliant) in defence technology and products.

Addressing MSMEs E-conclave via video conferencing, Singh termed micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) the backbone of the Indian economy that accelerate GDP growth, earn valuable foreign exchange through exports and provide employment opportunities.

Asserting that keeping MSMEs strong is one of the priorities of the government, he said there are more than 8,000 MSMEs, tiered partners of many defence organisations - ordnance factories, DPSUs and service organisations.

They contribute more than 20 per cent of the total production of these organisations, Singh said at the conclave jointly organised by Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Department of Defence Production.

Citing the example of the United States where the domestic defence industry developed within a short span of two years during World War-II, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat said India should have its own defence industry.

He urged the MSMEs to work for placing India among the top 10 nations in defence technologies.

The defence minister hailed the role played by SIDM and other MSMEs in the nation's fight against global coronavirus pandemic.

I am very happy to know that SIDM has accelerated the manufacturing of DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) designed PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) kits, masks, ventilator parts in the field of defence industry by efficient coordination and channelisation," Singh was quoted as saying in a statement.

"Within less than two months, we have not only met our domestic demand, but we can also think of helping neighbouring countries in the coming time," he said.

Acknowledging the hardships faced by the defence industry, Singh said, The manufacturing sector has been affected the most due to lockdown and disruption in existing supply chains and the defence sector is no exception to this."