Southern Command Conducts Seminar on Aatmnirbharta to Chart a Course towards Self-Sufficiency in Defence Manufacturing

Pune : 14 June 2024

On June 14, 2024, Regional Technology Node of HQ Southern Command organised a pivotal seminar, “Swavalamban se Shakti: Bharat ki Nayi Disha,” at the Rajendra Sinhji Army Mess and Institute (RSAMI) in Pune. The event, aligned with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, aimed to bolster self-sufficiency in defense manufacturing. The seminar brought together a diverse range of stakeholders including representatives from the Armed Services, Defense Industries, and Academia across peninsular India to discuss strategies and collaboration for a robust, self-reliant defense sector in India.

Key speakers during the Seminar were: –

– Lt Gen K S Brar, AVSM, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Dakshin Bharat Area.

– Col RS Bhatia (Retd), Chairman Defence Business, Kalyani Group.

– Lt Gen PR Shankar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Professor at IIT Madras.

– Lt Gen VG Patankar, PVSM, UYSM, VSM (Retd)

– Mr. Kishore Dutt Atluri, Founder & Joint Managing Director, Zen

Technologies.

– Mr. Abhishek Jain, Chief Business Officer, Zeus Numerics.

– Commander Ramesh Madhavan (Retd), Co-founder & Tunga

Aerospace.

– Col P Hani (Retd), Founder & CEO, Edge Force Solutions, shared

perspectives on defense solutions and startup ecosystem growth.

– Mr. Prashant Girbane, Director General, Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA).

– Wg cdr P Madhusoodan (Retd), VP (Aerospace & Defence) TIDCO).

– Prof G Jagdeesh, Professor of Aerospace.

– Mr SM Vaidya – Ex Vice President & business Head Godrej Aerospace

-Lt Gen SS Hasabnis, PVSM, VSM (Retd)

The insightful seminar focused on advancing defense manufacturing in India through three interactive sessions. Discussions centered on integrating best practices in Indian Armed Forces to streamline manufacturing processes and improve quality standards within the defense sector. Emphasis was placed on nurturing a dynamic startup ecosystem to drive innovation and support defense manufacturing. A key focus was on establishing a defense manufacturing corridor, fostering regional industrial hubs, and facilitating knowledge transfer and collaboration between the Services, Industry, and Academia.

Lt Gen Ajai Kumar Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, who graced the occasion as the chief guest, underscored the critical need for a robust, self-reliant defense sector in India. He lauded the efforts of all participants and highlighted the importance of collaborative endeavours to achieve national security objectives through indigenous defense production. His address reiterated the commitment to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission, aiming for a future where India stands as a global leader in defense manufacturing. The seminar also saw the release of the first edition of the Southern Star Defence Manufacturer’s Directory, a collaborative effort between State Industrial bodies and the Southern Command to map defence manufacturers of peninsular India.

The seminar underscored the commitment of HQ Southern Command to support initiatives that contribute to India’s self-sufficiency in defense production. It served as a platform for forging partnerships and alliances among stakeholders to propel the nation towards achieving its strategic defense goals.