General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), visited the Maharashtra MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) Defence Expo 2024 at the International Exhibition Convention Centre, Moshi, Pune on February 26th, 2024.
Showcasing Maharashtra’s Defence Manufacturing Prowess:
- The expo, organized by the Maharashtra government, showcases the indigenous capabilities and innovations of MSMEs, private companies, DRDO labs, and DPSUs in the state.
General Pande’s Keynote Address:
- He commended Maharashtra for being a major contributor to India’s economy, highlighting its leadership in:
- Industrial growth
- Exports
- FDI attractiveness
- He praised the state for being the first in India to establish a Defence Manufacturing Policy and designate aerospace and defence manufacturing as a thrust sector, resulting in:
- Over 20% contribution to the national output of aircrafts, ships, and boats
- 30% contribution to the national output of weapons and ammunition
Focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat and Innovation:
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General Pande emphasized the improved economic growth and aspirations of Indian citizens.
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He appreciated the government and armed forces’ commitment to sustainable development through:
- Policy reforms
- Skilling initiatives
- Infrastructure investment
- Digital initiatives
- Supporting entrepreneurship
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He highlighted the importance of leveraging MSMEs and startups in meeting the Indian Army’s capability development needs through the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) initiative.
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He elaborated on the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) program, stating that:
- All projects are mandated to involve startups.
- 55 projects worth Rs 400 crore are currently underway, involving 65 startups.
- Four contracts worth Rs 70 crore have been finalized for equipment procurement.
- The iDEX approach utilizes a “Spiral Model” for developing indigenous technology.
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He mentioned the Indian Army’s in-house Ideas & Innovation initiative, citing two successful examples of technology transferred to industry:
- VIDYUT RAKSHAK – IoT-based generator protection system
- A biomedical device
Promoting Innovation and Intellectual Property:
- General Pande underscored the Army’s commitment to promoting innovation through:
- Pursuing Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) for co-developed products
- Filing 66 IPRs to date, with 13 patents, 5 copyrights, and 5 design registrations already granted
Army Equipment Display and Industry Interaction:
- The Indian Army showcased its indigenous equipment and systems at the expo, including:
- Tanks
- Artillery
- Rocket launchers
- Bridge systems
- Air defense guns and radars
- Assault rifles and other infantry weapons
- General Pande interacted with participating industries, encouraging them to align their products and services with the future needs of the Army.
- He urged everyone to contribute to building a self-reliant India through commitment and resolve.
This visit highlights the Indian Army’s focus on promoting self-reliance and fostering innovation in the defense sector, while collaborating with MSMEs and startups to achieve its modernization goals.