The United Services Institution of India (USI)– Centre for Atma Nirbhar Bharat, in partnership with Strategic Insights, orchestrated a landmark Conclave centred on India's Aerospace & Defence Capability Roadmap 2030 on Thursday.
Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS), Dr Samir Kamat, Chairman DRDO, and R Ramchandani, Executive Vice President & Head of L&T Defence, seamlessly participated in the conclave, joining other distinguished political and military figures along with leaders in the field of industry and technology in India.
Empowering Defence Exports: The Key Role of India's Indigenous Arms Production
“In the realm of exporting arms and weaponry, the key lies not in merely dealing with third-party products, but in establishing a foundation of indigenous production. Exporting necessitates a departure from reliance on external sources, demanding a homegrown arsenal”, R Ramchandani, EVP & Head, L & T Defence told Sputnik India, addressing the indigenous production of arms that can significantly elevate India's export potential.
Ramchandani emphasised that “a distinctive avenue for exports involves integration into the supply chain or partnering with foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), allowing for export opportunities even in the absence of domestic product development. However, to truly fortify India's standing as an exporter, emphasis must be placed on fostering indigenously manufactured goods and nurturing indigenous capabilities. This, in turn, catalyses economic growth”.
"We must learn from the failures and ensure that the experiences encountered on the battlefield inform our future design endeavours," added the Head of L&T.
Centre for Atma Nirbhar Bharat, in partnership with Strategic Insights, orchestrated a landmark Conclave centred on India's Aerospace & Defence Capability Roadmap 2030 on Thursday
Putting the spotlight on India's defence-related exports to the Middle East, Ramchandani pointed out, "We are making efforts, and the Indian defence industry is gaining recognition internationally. However, there is still a considerable distance to cover before we can truly establish ourselves as significant exporters," he noted.
In fiscal year 2022-23, defence exports reached a record high of ₹16,000 crore ($1.9 billion), surpassing the previous year by ₹3,000 crore ($361 million). New Delhi reported that India had successfully exported its products to over 85 countries.
“A significant hurdle we encounter is the need for a much swifter 'procurement process'. Accelerating this aspect would serve as a substantial facilitator, allowing us to cater more efficiently to the requirements of the Indian government”, he noted.