HYDERABAD: To discuss and deliberate upon important aspects relating to indigenisation, public-private partnership and collaboration with foreign weapons’ producers, a strategic defence and security thinkers’ conclave is being organised here on February 7 and 8.
Defence Minister Mahohar Parrikar, minister of state for defence production Rao Inderjit Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will participate in the event, along with chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.
The seminar on ‘Self-reliance in Defence Manufacturing’, which is being organised by the Forum for Integrated National Security (FINS), will witness eminent experts, senior Armed Forces veterans, weapons and technology induction planners, scientists, DRDO experts and users, who will share their thought process, futuristic plans and policy formulation to make India self- reliant in defence production.
The closing addressing will be given by governor ESL Narasimhan on February 8, to an August gathering which will include MDs,CEOs of major industrial houses, PSU heads, directors of different DRDO labs, intellectuals and academicians.
India in the 21st century is recognised and accepted as an emerging major power in the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific region and its knowledge and capabilities are appreciated across the world.
However, most of the armaments -- be it fighter planes, submarines, ships, tanks and key missile systems are imported, thereby, weakening the aspirational goals of India as a major global power.
At present, with 41 ordinance factories, 9 defence PSU’s and supported by 51 DRDO labs, the indigenous defence production barely meets 30 per cent of the needs with approximately $ 7.6 billion worth of turnover recorded in 2013-14. Whereas, the Union government’s Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (2012-2027) has a budget of $ 235 billion. The mismatch between what is presently produced indigenously and the needs is humongous.
Having understood the mismatch including the need for capital, FDI upto 26 per cent was allowed in 2001, and a broader procurement policy announced in 2002.