BHUBANESWAR: Innovation attaché at Israeli Embassy in India, Maya Sherman, said the two nations are entering a new phase of collaboration, especially in technology transfer and joint development, and MSMEs in states like Odisha can play a pivotal role in this shared ecosystem.
Speaking at the national-level defence seminar titled ‘MSMEs for Nation’s Defence: Procurement and Export Opportunities’ here on Saturday, Sherman emphasised the growing Indo-Israel cooperation in defence technology, research and development, and manufacturing.
The event organised by the Ministry of MSME and Odisha Assembly of Small and Medium Enterprises (OASME) brought together officials, defence experts and industry leaders to explore the Rs 2,000 crore annual business opportunity in India’s defence and aerospace sector, particularly in the context of Odisha’s strategic capabilities and industrial growth.
Director of DRDO’s Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) Subodha Kumar Nayak, chief manager (IMM project) at HAL-Koraput Subodha Kumar Sahoo and junior works manager at ordnance factory, Badmal Tapan Kumar Jena presented the current landscape of defence procurement, R&D and the strategic importance of MSME participation in indigenous defence production.
Senior representatives from Accurate Engineering Cluster (AEC), eastern India’s largest common facility centre (CFC) showcased how the cluster is poised to act as a force multiplier for Odisha’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
AEC chairman Jayaprakash Biswal stressed on the shared infrastructure, precision engineering, prototyping facilities, quality control and supply chain linkages, besides highlighting the cluster’s role as a potential game-changer in boosting Odisha’s MSME-led contribution to defence production and exports.
Former chief of quality at CTTC-Bhubaneswar SK Kar and AEC director Sandeep Kumar Rout also spoke.